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What’s Inside:2010 Census

ELIMIFACE WinnersI Believe That All Wars Come to An End

The Sounders Comeback

Spring 2010 Issue

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This publication is made possible through Hmong American Partnership (HAP). HAP provides culturally appropriate social services to Hmong families in Min-nesota, such as: employment services and English language classes for adults, after school programs for children and youth, and counseling and support programs for families. For more information please visit www.hmong.org.

Hmong American PartnershipAttn: HmoobTeen1075 Arcade Street

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55106(651) 495-9160

[email protected]

HmoobTeen magazine may not be reproduced.

Spring 2010 HMoobTEEn / 3

What I believeSpring 2010

RegularsEditors Bios: What Did You Believe in As a Child? Page 2Editors Bios: What Was Your Biggest Accomplishment in 2009? Page 27Editor’s Note Page 4Check Nws Out!: Stacy Dib Xiong Page 8Knowing Your Hmong: Txhiaj Txhais Page 10Knowing Your Hmong: Hmoob Word Search Food Page 10Adult Role Model: Chao Xiong Page 7Public Health Column: Take Good Care of Your Mental Health Page 21

Theme: What I BelieveBelieving From the Heart Page 12It’s Okay Mom, Everything Will be Alright Page 12You Are Not Alone Page 13Religion and Faith Page 13I Believe That All Wars Come to An End Pages 14-15I Believe in Not Needing to Write and Read in Hmong Pages 16-17I Believe in Being As Hmong As I Can Be Page 17Happiness is Universal Page 18Happiness is Only Real When Shared Page 19

Reads Meet the New Editors! Page 52010 Census Pages 6ELIMIFACE Winners Pages 9The New Frugality Page 11Unknown Internet Dangers Page 202010 Asian Prom: 007 - A Black Tie Affair Page 28

PoemsBelieve Page 22Waiting On A Mother Page 22Dear Niam (Mom) Page 22

Comics Parents Vs. Teens Page 23Vim Hlub Koj Page 24I Believe in the Tooth Fairy Page 25How The Turtle Got Grounded Page 25

MusicThe Sounders Comeback Page 26

SEND

IT IN!

4 / HMoobTEEn Spring 2010

HmoobTeen Editor’s Note:

Nyob Zoo! As the days are getting warmer and a new decade has rolled in, Hmoob-Teen presents our new issue “What I Believe” with series of articles about our personal beliefs about life. We chose this theme because we were inspired by National Public Radio’s “This I Believe” program. To believe is to be grounded in the make-up of our core values. We are usually what we believe. If we don’t believe in something, we cannot be humans.

2010 is an exciting year for HmoobTeen. We hosted our 2nd Basketball Tournament on February 27th, have new Editors in our team with two Edi-tors from California and Montana, and will be launching our website. For the first time in our history, you will be able to read the entire magazine online. This is a new direction for us and we hope to reach more readers around the world. HmoobTeen is the only place where teens can speak and be heard. We want to continue the tradition by being more accessible to teens who may not get to read the printed magazine version.

Don’t forget we are on Facebook and Myspace now too! Get up to date information on events and deadlines for upcoming HmoobTeen activities! Finding us is very easy, Google - HmoobTeen Magazine.

Also mark your calender and get ready to make it an all action-adventure for HmoobTeen’s Asian Prom Dance 007- Black Tie Affair. See the back cover for more information! Thank you for being a loyal reader. Don’t forget to send in your writings and artwork. Take control of your voice by sending in your work. And the best part is, if your work is published, we pay you!

~ Matthew Saykao Thao

HmoobTeen ediTorsNhia Lee, Nhia “Monie” Lee, Panhia Lee, Yang Lee, Jennifer Lor, Jennifer Lysaythong, Yeej Moua, Linda Thao, Manee B. Thao, Matthew Saykao Thao, KaZoua Vang, Blong Vang, Bao Xiong, Sandy Xiong, Sherri Xiong, Kelly Z. Yang, Meng Yang

ediTor in CHief Sai Vang

LayouT & designSai Vang, Yang Lee, Linda Thao, Blong Vang, Matthew Saykao Thao

ConTribuTing WriTers and arTisTsGaoia Lee, Dara Lee, Paching Yang, Bao Vang, Choua Thao, Kia Lor, Jennifer Her, Houa Xiong

We pay for work we publish.articles/Photo essays/Comics: up to $25drawings: up to $20Poems: up to $15

you must include your name, age, city, state, telephone number and email where we can reach you--even if you wish to remain anonymous.

all submissions are subject to revision. We may contact authors to work with authors on revisions.

submission requiremenTs:art-must be on unlined paper and musT noT be folded. Writing-Type in ms Word and attach document to your email.

HmoobTeen holds all the rights of works once published. Submissions sent to HmoobTeen becomes HmoobTeen property, it is done at the risk of the sender and will not be returned. Email your work if you can.

HmoobTeen (ISSN 1935-1542) is published 4 times a year: Spring, Summer, Winter and Winter by Hmong American Partnership. Currently we reach over 20,000 readers per issue. Our next issue, is the Summer 2010 issue, with the theme Sex will be out June 29, 2010.

Subscriptions/Back Issues: (651) 495-1526 or [email protected]

The views expressed in this publication are of the authors and do not represent opinions or the views of Hmong american Partnership (HaP) or HmoobTeen, their staff, volunteers, funders or partners.

HmoobTeen tries its best to screen websites listed in the magazine. However, the content, views and opinions displayed and expressed by the websites and/or their respective organizations may, or may not reflect those of HmoobTeen and HAP.

HmoobTeen is made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Minnesota Department of Health and United Way.

Send your work in!Email: [email protected] or Mail to: 1075 Arcade Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55106

Submissions unrelated to the themes are also accepted.

Summer 2010 theme is: Sex

Tell us: What influences the way you look?Is sex education boring at school?

What is your attitude towards sex and relationships?

deadLine: may 28, 2010

Fall 2010 theme is: Education & Poverty

Tell us: Why education is important?

Is learning more than just at school?What is life like in poverty?

deadLine: august 20, 2010

Artwork by Goaia Lee, 14, Morganton, NC

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“ Meet The New Editors!(From left: Jennifer Lysaythong, Yang Lee, Yeej Moua, Kelly Yang, Manee Thao, and Jennifer Lor)

YEEJ MOUA / I was born in Montana on Octo-ber 27, 1992 and am a junior at Big Sky High School in Missoula, Montana. Raised in a small town with very few Hmoob people, where every family knows each other, I consider myself a very lucky person because I feel as if I can contribute more to my community.

I have many hobbies. I have been drawing ever since I was little but I also enjoy making/editing videos, photography, and acting. I am a determined person. I wish to one day design the cover of a worldwide magazine, act in my very own television series, and write a novel that would be on the New York Times best-seller’s list.

I am very fortunate to have such an opportunity to be an editor for HmoobTeen Magazine. I am aspired to put forth everything I can to make HmoobTeen an even bigger success then it is already and to show people that dreams may one day become a reality.

LINDA THAO / Hi there! I’m Linda Thao. I’ve lived in chilly Minnesota most of my life, and I LOVE IT. I’m 18 years old and attend DeLaSalle High School. I enjoy fishing, participating in musicals, reading sci-fi novels, living in Forever21, and many more. I am the student council secre-tary at my high school, a volunteer for organiza-tions such as American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Lasallian Ministry.

As a HmoobTeen Editor, I hope to design many fantabulous works of art and maybe write an article or two. I also look forward to hearing new points of views, and seeing the many wonder-ful works from our readers. I hope to help both myself and others learn to step outside the box as we explore the awesomeness of our Hmong community!

SANDY XIONG/ I was born in Yosemite, California on a sweltering June day in 1992. I was raised in a small house in Fresno for half my life in a family of seven boys and a Doberman Pinscher. Being surrounded by such masculinity, I became more attracted to video games and

running around with the boys (and our dog), climbing trees and enjoying myself in the Cali-fornia sun. I now live in Maplewood, Minnesota, where I am a senior at North Saint Paul High School.

I believe I have been disconnected from the Hmong community, I wish to hear our community speak out more often so we may all be heard. Hopefully, my being apart of HmoobTeen will inspire others to voice their opinions- instead of having so many people just stand on the sidelines and watch things happen. I hope to motivate Hmong teenagers to step up and make a difference in the world.

JENNIFER LYSAYTHONG / I was born in Octo-ber 8, 1993 in Sacramento, California where I currently still live. My parents gave me the name Jennifer after Jennifer Lopez. I’m a proud junior attending Hiram Johnson High School. I volunteer as a peer mediator to help and solve problems of people who are in need. I also work with the Youth South Sac Education Program.

Though I just found out about HmoobTeen Magazine last year, it has inspired me to make a change in my community by voicing my opinion. It also make me feels like I’m not the only one and I’m not alone in this world. I want to gain knowledge, ability, courage, and I hope to inspire many young teens to express how they feel.

MANEE B. THAO / I was born, raised, and still reside in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I am a proud junior high graduate of H.O.P.E. Community Academy. For any serious anime/manga fans out there who might know this term, I am a fujoshi and a bokukko. The top five things that can make me happy are food, playing games with my friends, writing stories, reading fantasy stories and last but not least, Japanese language/culture/food.

KELLY Z. YANG / I reside in Minneapolis, Min-nesota and am a senior at Patrick Henry High School. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island. I moved to Minneapolis two years ago but lived

in many states before then. My parents were di-vorced when I was seven, so growing up I busied myself with school and music to avoid the thought of it. I am interested in anything regarding school and I love to sing and play guitar. Music is my motivation and what I am passionate about. I also love playing flag football, volleyball, and meeting new people.

My hope for HmoobTeen is that I can contribute as much as I can. I would like to reach out to more youths as much as I can. The fact that I am a part of HmoobTeen, I feel so honored. I feel now that I can communicate with others easily without worrying about my identity.

JENNIFER LOR / My name is Jennifer Lor and I’m 14 years old. I was born in California and moved to Minnesota at five years old. I attend Open World Learning Community, also known as Saint Paul Open School, as a freshman. I like working with the community, ultimate frisbee and soccer, although I may not be so good at it. Many may see me as an untraditional person, but deep inside, I adore the Hmong culture.

HmoobTeen is something that will help me voice my opinions and I have so much gratitude towards HmoobTeen because it will help me more than it already does. Through Hmoob-Teen, I hope to become a better person. It’s a wonderful experience to be able to dream within the words that I’ll soon write.

YANG LEE / I am a country dude from Oklahoma but now live in Saint Paul, Minne-sota. Country life plays a major role in my life because I love nature, animals and exploring life. Some of my hobbies and interests are graphic design, music, acting, modeling, video editing, and just keeping in shape (once in a while).

What I hope to bring to HmoobTeen is the best of me and bring my experience to give 100% to my Hmong community. I hope to inspire Hmong teenagers and just to capture their attention with my designs.


2010 CensusBe Counted & Better Our Community By Ka Zoua Vang, HmoobTeen Editor, 18, Minneapolis, MN

Take a look around your community and think of all the opportunities that you have, such as, public education or support services- whether it’s housing, health or other programs. These resources and services would not be

possible if it weren’t for some sort of federal funding. Every year, the federal government gives out over 400 billion dollars in funding to state and local governments to improve communities in need, such as, roads, hospitals, schools and many more. So how much funding does the government know to give out to each state and communities? Imagine how unfair it would be if the government randomly gave out funding to communities and state governments. Small communities might receive greater funding than larger communities with a greater demographic profile so they might be more well of than areas that really need the money. That is where the 2010 Census count comes in. The census is a tool used to analyze and count the number of people living in the United States. By law in every ten years, the federal government counts the number of people in each state to determine how much funding each state will receive and the number of seats each state have in the House of Representatives. It doesn’t matter what your citizenship status, age or ethnic back-ground, everyone is counted in the census. In the Hmong community, we are rapidly growing and looking for ways to meet our community needs. Whether it’s by creating

schools and providing after school programs for young children or creating services and organizations to support emerging Hmong leaders, it will take some sort of government funding and support. The data that Hmong families fill out in the census will be use to provide a better public understanding of the demographic characteristics of Hmong families. It will be use in our advocacy efforts especially in dealing with poverty, Elder needs and education. The first step to get our voices heard will be to take part in the 2010 Census. Taking part in the 2010 census is easy! In March 2010, more than 130 million households across the nation will receive a census form. The census form comes in multiple languages including Hmong, Laotian, Thai and more. Just fill out the form completely and send it back to the Census Bureau. The form is quick and easy with only ten questions and everything on the form will be kept confiden-tial. The Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. Thus, consider all of the resources and services that have helped shaped the Hmong community in many various positive aspects. Wouldn’t it be great if we were able to continue building and providing an affirmative community for our future Hmong generation? Replying to the 2010 Census will not hurt; instead the Hmong community will thank you for it. Make sure your parents fill out the form and send it back!


Adult Role Model

Chao Xiong has been a great friend and role model to the HmoobTeen Editors but also a great inspiration for young Hmong journalists. It is always great for us to learn about how our role models got their start and what they have learned along the way. Especially someone like Chao who really knows his stuff!

Chao Xiong was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa but now lives in the Twin Cities. He is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune - the largest newspaper in Minnesota. As a child he had many career aspirations. Growing up he wanted to be an artist, zoo keeper, cartoonist and many others, but all along he wanted to be a writer.

What makes you want to become a writer/reporter? What got you started?I chose journalism because it allows me to write nearly every day, and because it allows me to help other people tell their stories. There are so many untold stories out there and so many different people or populations who are ignored or marginal-ized. Journalism can help reveal truths about our communities that the general public might not seek out on their own. I got started by reading and writing a lot as a child, and joined the high school paper. I went to college for journalism, worked on the student newspaper and interned at professional newspa-pers during my summer breaks.

What’s the best part about your job?The best part of my job is meeting people from all walks of life and helping their voices get heard.

Who was the biggest influence in your career?In terms of getting me started on this path, I would say my parents, because they were very focused on my education and were insistent that I learn to read before I started kindergar-ten. We also watched the news a lot. Presently, my journalism friends from college and my coworkers have the biggest impact on me, because they inspire me to work harder and challenge myself to be the best reporter I can be.

What advice would you share for anyone?Don’t be afraid to try all kinds of different activities, hob-bies, etc. even if you think you might not be great at them. We aren’t meant to succeed at everything we try, but we can still learn a lot from everything we accomplish. When you find something you love, pursue it and believe in yourself.

You can read Chao’s articles at www.startribune.com

Chao XiongBy Blong Vang, HmoobTeen Editor, 19, Andover, MN


Many of us believe that we are lead-ers and sometimes even the majority

of us believe that we can lead if we are granted an audience. But when you’re in the midst of approaching an audience, do you start to feel frighten and realized that what you had believed was actually false? The real world needs real leaders, natural born leaders, who are capable of lead-ing especially in times of dire need. Stacy Dib Xiong is a fellow colleague and friend of mine who fits the title. Not only is she a singing competition veteran, potential business and law student, but a successful Hmong woman at such a young age. People have said she is trying too much to live the life-style of a typical American and forgetting her roots but what many aren’t aware that Stacy loves her culture and has taken her time not to forget it.

At the age of 18, while many of us are starting our first year in college, Stacy is already in her junior year and will be graduating in the class of 2011. Along with her educational successes, Stacy was elected president of Business Professionals of America, a national organiza-tion, where she led over 1,800 members out of 50,000. She also had success as a singer. She released an album and toured the country performing for audiences big or small. Not only is she an intelligent person with dreams but she is persistent enough to achieve lots of what she has wished for and continues to dream for more.

Her passion to be a good Hmong daughter has led her to be able to write and speak fluent Hmong. She has pushed herself to keep the rich culture within her blood by learning Hmong poetry (kwv txhiaj). So

it is no surprise her greatest influences growing up are her father and elder sister, Nalee. She said, “My father has al-ways been the most influential person in my life. He not only supports his children but helps guide us in a way that we can all agree upon. Even though at times it may be hard for him to be patience with his teenage children, he has rightfully done his duty to help us and encour-age us.” She continued, “When my sister Nalee won the title of Miss Hmong Minnesota 2005, she became my idol and influ-enced me to be a great person and reach for the impossible.”

To me, Stacy has been the ideal leader that I have always wanted to be. Through her successes, she inspires me to reach for the stars. She is a person who carried herself with great manners and maturity. Because I looked to her, I have shaped my life positively and been able to be optimistic

about the future.

Stacy’s music and her success not only encourages me to be a better person but her actions carry her sincerity with each person she’s in contact with. The day after Stacy beat me in a singing competition, she invited me on stage to perform the national anthem. This is a sign of a true leader and I am proud to say that I am one of her greatest supporters.

Stacy’s last advice to the youth in the Hmong community and the world is, “No matter what you do in life, it is wonder-ful to follow your dreams but remember to take advantage of educational opportunities so that one day you can have a secondary plan. Secondly, remember where you came from and understand your foundation or who you are.”

Check Nws Out!

Stacy Dib XiongA Natural Born LeaderBy Nhia Lee, HmoobTeen Editor, 18, Saint Paul, MN


At the 2009-2010 Hmong Minnesota New Year celebration, 816 teens from across the country voted for this year’s hottest guy and girl in our annual ELIMIFACE contest. With 345 votes between the two Saint Paul natives, Kungshen Max Thao and Pajai Vang both beat out the competition. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to everyone who voted! To learn more about them, I had a short question and answer session with them.

Kelly: What made you enter the contest and why?

Kungshen: Well, the reason I entered the ELIMIFACE contest was because a friend recommended me to. I was unsure if I was handsome enough to win though. I was flattered when I was told, “You are handsome, and you should! So I submitted my information and was surprised at the results.

Pajai: I joined becaused I was bored and stuff. And I thought it would be fun doing it.

Kelly: Who do you feel winning eLimifaCe?

Kungshen: I was surprised and shocked at the fact actually. I didn’t think I would have won. When I checked my email and saw the re-sults during class. I told my friend right away. I could not believe I was going to be featured in HmoobTeen Magazine.

Pajai: I didn’t think I would win because I just joined for fun. I was so happy [when I found out]!

Kelly: What do you like to do in yoru spare time?

Kungshen: Depending on what season it is, in the spring and summer, I play tennis and soccer- my two favorite sports. In winter and fall, I run on an indoor track at school and lift weights. I am just a regular guy, I have fun with friends, play, laugh, and joke too. I never want to be bored. I’m athletic and outgoing in whatever I’m doing. Basically on my spare time I just love to be active.

Pajai: I use the internet a lot. I like to write about my life and problems. I used to poems but I don’t write poems that much no more. I love drawing, singing, and hanging-out with my family. I never go out cause of my parents.

Knowing Your Hmong


Have you ever asked yourself why txhiaj txhais exists? Well, first of all, txhiaj txhais are riddles in the Hmong language using mostly figurative language. They are told during storytelling, new years, funerals, and certain gatherings. It is used to give mes-sages in a logical way. It is also used in kwv txhiaj as well. Hmong males loved to court the Hmong females with mysterious sayings that steal their hearts.

It all began back in the days when Hmong people mostly gardened, cook and clean. They had many activities they were interested in as well. Taujlub (Hmong tops) and kawbtawb (Kato- kind of like volleyball, but only using your legs and the ball is made of bamboo) and blowing the qeej (Hmong instrument) fit in that category. However, it wasn’t enough so the Elders began telling txhiaj txhais. The new generation, nowadays, cannot interpret it as well as the Elders, but we should ask our Elders about them. It is fun and very challenging and way different from English riddles.

Here is one that is common:

Tsis zas los liab (Although we don’t dye it, it is red)Tsis hliav los ntse (We don’t sharpen it, yet it is sharp)Yog dabtsi? (What is it?)

The answer is in the background.

Hmoob Word Search: Foodtxiv tsawb = banana ntsev = salt dib liab = watermelontxiv nkaus taw = mango txiv lws sauv = tomatoes taum = beanxyoob = bamboo txiv laum huab xub = peanuts dib = cucumbertauj dub = lemon grass qej = garlic kua txob = chilli pepperqhav = ginger taub = pumpkin

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The New

FrugalityBy Sandy Xiong, HmoobTeen Editor, 17, Maplewood, MN

After a long week, it’s finally Friday. As I’m staring at the clock tick away at the minutes and seconds before the end of the school day, I

start to anticipate the weekend to come. I’ve been working diligently all week just for the weekend to arrive, and as the bell rings, I gather my books and pens into my backpack and rush out the door before the teacher can assign us any more homework. Running down the flight of stairs, I’m excited to get home and enjoy myself before the next Monday rolls around.

When I finally get home, I call up all my girls to hang out—to have dinner, catch a movie, or just to check out all the good looking guys at the mall. However, as I’m calling each person up, I can feel every-one’s enthusiasm die down.

“Hey, so you wanna go watch Avatar?” I asked.

“Nah. Sorry, I gotta work today.”

I offered a different option, “How about dinner or pho later on tonight?”

“Oh, I’m trying to save up for prom…”

It starts to frustrate me that no one wants to hang out anymore. After several failed

attempts at trying to get a group hang-out, everyone just bails out on each other. They complain that they have so much other things to do, or that they don’t have the time, effort, or money to hang out as much as we used to. I used to think that my friends did not want to hang out because we suddenly got too boring, but I suppose it was more because we couldn’t afford to go out and have fun than it was that we no longer enjoyed each other’s company. As difficult as it is, us being girls and not being able to visit each other very often, but with our parents down our throats about freely spending money as well. I feel so limited and restricted in what I can do and what I couldn’t do in my social life.

My mother was laid off last year. Since then she’s been living off unemployment compensation. I, myself, quit my job to focus on school because I believe that instead of working now, and getting my seven bucks per hour, I’d rather sacrifice my work and sweat to be able to do something that will be meaningful to me in the future. At the same time while support-ing my family at the same time.

So I had asked myself, “Were it not for the economy being the state that it is in, would we be going out more, doing stuff instead of just worrying about time and money?”

I believe that we would like to hang out more often than just sitting around and contemplating what we could possibly do without breaking the bank. Even so, I be-lieve that right now, the recession is teach-ing teenagers, especially Hmong individu-als, what it means to be frugal and not just throw it around like it’s nothing. Instead, we are striving to do better in school to com-bat the recession that is upon us; we are using our time on things that matter, instead of just going out whenever we feel like it. One of the most important lessons of all is that we are learning to prioritize our life in accordance with what is most important; deciphering the differences between what we want and what we need.

Believing From the HeartBy Jennifer Lor, HmoobTeen Editor, 14, Saint Paul, MN

January 16, 2010 Sometimes I wish I was five again- when everything I knew, my heart told me. Nothing mattered then, but now everything does. It’s much more complicated when you have to think about everything: my parents’ divorce, the broken bonds from the people you cared so dearly for, the way your faith can be broken, and the way you may foresee a broken future. The way it breaks you down is invisible, you don’t notice it until you’re in too deep. The divorce and a broken friendshiphave dug into my emotions and sucked out the belief I once had in me. I lost the bubble that could never be broken. Here I am today, lost, broken, confused and trying hard to move on. And I’m glad to say that I am tired of feeling this way, tired of always wondering what I believe in, and always giving into the stereotypes. Today is the day it ends.

Sometimes when my friends ask me about my parents’ divorce, my last break-up or problems with my friends, I feel insecure because I break down to such easy things. I let go of what I really wanted because I was afraid of the way they would make me feel. I told them the simple things and they shrugged it off, saying that I didn’t care. I did care. I kept all of my feelings inside. I pushed it all away, hoping that I’d get over these things. But I didn’t and I’m not. It’s been a year and I’m still bottling up these emotions. Still, I can see my future and I am strong enough to believe in myself and refuse the opinions of those who let me down.

I am afraid of what I will grow up to be, but I believe that even though I am in the rocks, I can survive by continuing to believe in myself and the few who actually think I will get where I want. It doesn’t matter where I start, just as long as I start now. It will be hard, but it will be easier after the fall. By letting things fall into place, I can find myself in the right direction and forgive the things that have built me up and broken me down. The days will start shining brighter because the sun is nearby. I will live through the confusion of fears because my heart is still alive and breathing. Ican believe, but first I have to believe in myself.

It’s Okay Mom, Everything Will be AlrightBy Anonymous I listened to my mom sang her heart out for hours. I watched her walk into her room with teary eyes. As the music from the speakers filled the room with sound, I sat there thinking, what could I do? I felt the breaking pain that runs deep in my mom’s soul. I tasted the sad tears that fell down while she slept, and yet I just sat there thinking. When her door opened up, she came out of the room and walked straight into the kitchen. She started to cook as if her sorrow has been washed away, as if she became a new person in just a day’s work.

Not knowing what to do, I open my backpack that consisted of undone papers. As it spilled out and piled upon my lap, I started to work not wanting to stop. Not wanting to be brought back with the memories of the man that I once cared for so much and now feel unsure if he’s still the one I care for.

I believe that one cannot force one to believe what they don’t believe in, one can only try and fail. For months we tried to make my mom believe my dad was having a secret love affair. For months my mom didn’t believe us. She didn’t want to believe that my dad was in love with another woman. It was not until the day he left for Thailand, she realized that we were telling her the truth all along. My uncle in Thailand called and told my mom every-thing about my dad and his secret life across the sea. Although we already knew, it was even more painful when you hear about your dad and his the love that is no longer with you.

My mom put her anger on my siblings and I in the first few days. She punished us for not telling her about the money grams that were sent every week and for not telling her about the phone bills that ran up the roof. She was mad, but not as mad as she was sad. We knew she felt as if she failed as a wife and a mother. We tried to comfort her but being the kids, we all stood in the living room speechless. Not knowing how to respond back, we just said, “It’s okay mom, everything will be alright.”

My point to this is that, you cannot make someone believe in the words you speak. Although you may try and succeed once in awhile, when it comes to love, the person you are persuading believes in hope. I am much like my mom whereas I don’t want to believe that my dad is in Thailand with some other woman. Yet I know its true, I choose not to believe it. I choose to believe that my dad will come back home and be with the family again. I choose to believe that he’s not in love with another family, yet just wanted some time to be alone and free his mind. One cannot force one to believe in something they don’t believe in, but one can believe in what they believe in.

What I BelieveA

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ara Lee, 16, Maplew

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Religion and FaithBy Bao Vang, 13, Saint Paul, MN

All people they have their own religion because of their culture. All people don’t have the same religion or culture. I am Hmong and my culture is Hmong so my religion is too. Religion is important because in my religion if we do something wrong, then it will cause problem.

Religion is not funny and it’s not for fun. You cannot talk or make fun of religion. You have to trust your own religion. When the people in my family are sick, we have to find a shaman to heal the sickness. Because that’s what we do, but your religion, might be different, because you’re not the same as my culture or you have your own culture. But culture is important and so is religion. Don’t try to make fun of it because it’s really important.

What I Believe

YOU ARE NOT ALONEBy Paching Yang, Saint Paul, MN

If you are lost and afraid, don’t lose hope. Remember that you are not alone. There is something for you to believe in. Fear no longer exist. There is someone out there who created everything in this world and who loves you. He is constantly watching over you. He knows everything about you, everything that you are going through, and He understands you. Not only that, He is going to help you.

Because where did we all come from? Why do we have thoughts and emotions? Why does love, hope, intelligence, and friend-

ship exists? Why does certain people enter our lives and why does some walk out? Why do we experience certain accomplish-ments and failures? Why did that person we neglected became a necessary friend in our future? How does forgiveness heal so many hearts?

It is because He is taking care of you and teaching you. Also that you will become who you were meant to be to save others. If it is hard for you to believe then just open your heart and look around you. We cannot see music but we can hear it and it fills our hearts. We cannot see other people’s love for us because we don’t want to see. We do not see God’s love because we are selfish. Open your heart and you

will see by feeling. You will soon find that God is around you and within you. You are no longer alone.

If you stop to look around, you will see that we are actually all one. We all have one heart and all the same emotions. We just need to embrace one another and stop hating because actually no one is perfect. Stand tall together and not alone. Like a tree that has branches, without branches we cannot stand against the wind.

If you feel like life is pointless, remember your breath because you are still here and there is a purpose for your existence. Don’t be sad or scare anymore. You are not alone.

Artwork by Choua Thao, 13, Saint Paul, MN

What I Believe

I BELIEVE THAT ALL WARS COME TO AN ENDBy Kia Lor, 18, Saint Joseph, MN

I used to fight with my younger brother all the time. For some reason we just could not see eye to eye. The atrocity of our relationship always angered me; always brought my guilty hands to cover up my un-audacious tears. Each time I won or lost a fight, I’d record the aftermath with puddles of water dripping upon it. After a great deal of pain a slight sense freedom, happiness and peace enters my naïve heart and I grow. I learn from it and I grow stronger. Over time he’s taught me a lot of things, unintentionally, and I hope I’ve done the same for him.


World War Ten Million - 14 years old

World War Ten Million had just ended after the tsunami ripped my eyes apart because Hitler Jr. had cut my finger with a knife (by accident). I’ve lost count the num-bers of wars we’ve fought, but it’s approxi-mately ten million. Hitler Jr. is going to hell for sure. I don’t know why I have to have such an evil little brother. He’s so evil!

Every time there’s a war between the two of us, I always end up crying and looking

like the fool even after have I won the battle. The wars always start out with him wanting to prove me wrong. He’s always against me; in what I do or say. He wants to prove to me so badly that I’m bribable. He knows I hate being bribed, but he purposely does it. It’s usu-ally about money, but I never give in because I know I’m strong.

The past war was about whether I give him five dollars or my big mirror, and the one before that was about whether I give him ten dollars or my room! He’s always trying to bribe me. To him it’s a joke, but with me, it’s just plain stupid-ity and a waste of my time. I always have to physically fight my way out of the situation. Then it ends with blood and tears.

I don’t know if he feels guilty after each war, but I feel terrible after every one of those wars. Although I always

end up winning, I still feel like the loser. Why is my little brother so evil? Does he have any sympathy, respect, or mercy for me?

But since we’re siblings, we learn to forget and forgive. There are more world wars, I know it. With Hitler Jr. in my life, world wars are going to be endless. I’m pre-pared to be strong on the inside and out. I get so tired, especially when I have no al-lies. Hitler Jr. has no allies too, he’s too evil, no one wants to team up with him.

World War 1,000,001 - 16 years old

It has been a long time since Hitler Jr. attacked but tonight World War Ten-Mil-lion-and-One striked. He asked me why; he wanted a reason why I hated him so much.

“You don’t need a reason! It’s doesn’t even matter to you!” I shouted.

“Why huh? Why do you hate me so much?” he continuously asked me.

“Go to your room and think about it! Now leave me alone!!!” I screamed.

I was mad. I had been mad about life these past few days. I was mad about my life, my family and myself. I’ve been mad but held it all in, but I guess when a vol-cano can’t hold in anymore it will erupt.

We physically fought; equally strong, equally mad. Unlike him, I have disap-pointment on my side. I was extremely mad at him. I was mad at who he’s turned out to be. I am mad at him for smoking, for ditching school, for dropping out of school, for piercing his ear, for always being gone, and for every other little things he’d done. I am disappointed in him. I hate him be-cause of who he’d turned out to be. Never once in my life had I ever thought a foolish, naïve, wanna-be, drug addict, me-nyuam-laib would be my little brother.

But I was too mad to say anything; too mad at him to give him a reason why I hated him so much. I was too mad about my life. This madness and anger had me build up a grudge against him. I hate him because I am mad at him.

I won this war, neither fair nor square. I’ve

won and lost this war. I’ve won, meaning that I got him kicked out of my room, but I’ve lost a sense of love- I’ve lost a little brother who used to go to school with me, who can’t tie his shoes fast enough when we’re already late for school. I’ve lost a little young brother who used to play doc-tor with me. I’ve lost someone who I has trusted so much. I’ve lost faith in him.

World Wars Came to an End? - 18 years old.

Like all wars in this world there is an end to all of it; incomplete endings that leave you wondering why it even started in the first place; unresolved endings like sidewalks suddenly stopping or cliffs suddenly drop-ping. It doesn’t matter who called truce, the war is over. As much as the tension is still there, I call for justice. I call for equality and I call for peace.

I guess being farther away from Hitler Jr. gave me time to find the calmness of our sibling relationship. It gave me time to see from afar the stillness of the ocean that we used to fight on, the silence of the air we breathe as we yell angry words at each other, the tranquility of the words we never had the guts to say to each other. I reflect on the peace of our war. I reflect on the gallons of tears I’ve shed for these wars. The thousand wounds and scars that I thought would never heal. The endless terror and infinite fear of him wanting to attack. The fireball words that I’d aimed so harmfully, and all the devious things I’ve done for this war.

Perhaps he’s older now, too, and we finally see how childish these wars had become so we unconsciously called truce. Perhaps we finally outgrew these wars and without having to sign treaties, we called for an end. Perhaps I just got tired of fighting knowing neither of us would ever win. Perhaps this is the change that I’ve been seeking all this time- to be at peace.

No more profanity, no more grudges. I am letting it all go and metamorphos-ing into something much bigger, higher, and brighter. I am willing to change these circumstances knowing that it’s for the best for both Hitler Jr. and I. This is the end of this long weary war that led me to become a better me. This is the end.

“


What I Believe

i believe in not needing to Write and read in HmongBy Nhia Lee, HmoobTeen Editor, 18, Saint Paul, MN

I never learned how to read and write in Hmong. There are times when I thought, should I take my time to learn to read and write in Hmong? Will it be crucial to my future? Will it benefit me in life? Will it make me feel more Hmong? Truth-fully, this is a reflection of me as a Hmong teenager and the decision I have made based upon the historical facts about our culture. I believe that I do not need to know how to read and write in Hmong, though it does not mean I do not have pride in my heritage.

Like many young people in the world, we made promises to ourselves as children to accomplish goals that we have set for ourselves. Mine was no different than any other. At seven years old, I realized that my Vietnamese teacher was literate in Hmong, a language that was not her native-tongue. Throughout elementary, I would stare into the papers of Hispanic students and admire their abilities to write in Spanish to their friends and families. I have to honestly say that I began to feel the urge to finally have a goal. Soon enough, I became envious of that simple fact. But I knew that I was not alone; like many Hmong students, I was illiterate in Hmong and made a dire decision that one day I will learn how to read and write in Hmong. Eighteen years have gone by and it comes as no surprise, I am still illiterate in Hmong.

I have reasons. First, I strongly believe that the ability to speak Hmong is more important than the skills of reading and writing. Our history is passed through stories in the form of paj ntaub (flower cloth) and though many will say that the Hmong people did have an original form of written language, it has since cease since the exiled of many Hmong during the migration from China to Southeast Asia. My par-ents and all the Hmong were unable to learn the language, therefore, making it irrelevant to this article. Paj ntaub has, since the 1950s, were made to be sold to non-Hmong at markets. It is a commercialize art form.

The second reason is; the writing system we mainly use now, known as Romanized Popular Alphabet, was created by a group of French missionaries along with Hmong advisers in the 1950s. As it may come to no surprise, more Christian faith Hmong teenagers are able to read and write in Hmong than those who are not, like myself. This is the reason why I find it alarmingly unimportant for me to learn how to write or read in Hmong to prove to myself and others that I am Hmong.

“

What I Believe


i believe in being as Hmong as i Can beBy Bao Xiong, HmoobTeen Editor, 17, Saint Paul, MN

I believe that I should learn how to read, write, and know how to speak in Hmong. As for writing and reading, hardly any of us know how because we’re not exposed to the real written language. We have our own written language in which years ago we refused to accept it. I understand that now we’re in America and it’s hard for us to keep our language going because English is the dominate language here. However, I believe that the most important thing is to know how to speak Hmong first, and then read and write.

I believe that I should know how to speak in my language because it’s one of the most important elements of any ethnic group. I find it quite embarrassing when one doesn’t know how to speak their native language. If you don’t know how to speak in your own language, others will think that you don’t value your language. This also depends on how you were raised too- I understand if you were not taught as a youngster. What if you were asked to translate to a Hmong Elder for an non-Hmong? What happens if you turn down that person that you can’t do it because you don’t know how to speak Hmong? At least if you’re not proficient, know the basics of your language.

Knowing how to read and write in Hmong is not a must. I would say that if you want to learn then you should try, but you shouldn’t turn it down and see it as an unimportant attempt. I’m not saying that whatever you do is wrong, but you should consider it. You don’t have to do everything but value some of the things. I am a person with pride and I enjoy doing as much as I can do as who I am.

The third reason is; growing up in the American school system taught in English made it a crucial factor in my inability to read or write in Hmong. Education is more than just at school- it needs to be con-tinued at home. I feel as though I have only experienced one part of education. My parents didn’t offer me education at home because of their misinterpretation of the entire concept of education and only left it to the teachers. They expect me to just be great without putting much effort in and giving me the confidence and support I need. Am I just supposed to teach myself Hmong in a school with only two language courses, both European? I do not think so.

I know that I am not alone because there are many out there who feel the same way. These are not excuses but reasons I believe that Hmong is more than just being able to speak, read, and write but to be able to fully appreciate your culture for the beauty of its people and its work of art. What I’m trying to elude here is the simple fact that because I listened to the rules of my parents and grand-parents (for examples, not doing drugs and joining gangs), I am a good Hmong person who just hap-pens to be illiterate in Hmong. A Caucasian man who is literate in Hmong is not “more Hmong” than a kid who was born in a Hmong family and grew up from the moral values of our culture and the ethical paths of our people and Elders.

To truly understand a Hmong person, you must truly be a part of our fascinating culture and experi-ence the ways of our parents and the ways of our Elders and ancestors. The stories that we are told as young children sleeping next to our grandparents and the stories that we will tell our grandchildren one day truly mark on what Hmong is and what Hmong is defined. And in my defense, I do not feel as though I have to take my time to learn how to read and write in Hmong when I am fully capable of communicating verbally. However being literate in Hmong would make my parents proud, being illiterate doesn’t make me less a proud son of theirs and certainly not less Hmong than others.


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I have slowly realized that happiness is universal- given through feelings that give us enjoyment. It is nowadays that

people find it strange when I don’t smile. My normal face that doesn’t smile scares them sometimes. It makes me nostalgic of the past.

When I was younger, people found it a rarity to see me smile. I was a very un-happy child. I was labeled short-tempered, rash and sometimes even a bully. I was put into anger management counseling at school once too. Counselors made me squeeze stress balls periodically, and often talked to me. I sometimes blame them as the source of my childhood unhappiness and anger.

In every visit, they asked me, “Are you angry?”

I answered, “No, no I’m not.”

“It’s okay to be angry,” they would respond.

“I’m not angry.”

“Now, just admit it. You’re angry. I can hear

it in your voice.”

“I said I’m not angry darnit!” I would easily become frustrated and impatient with their persistent implications.

You see why I would be unhappy and angry? I was accused of being angry in the first place. No matter how many times I had told them that I was not, they still tried to put the idea in my head and make it true. I would think, “Hey, you’re only getting paid for the time not the work. Drop the act, the only reason I was even in the counseling room was because people thought I was affected by my family situ-ation.” This happened when I was in the second grade. I remember clearly, because afterwards I just went with the flow of being an unhappy angry child who didn’t easily fit in.

Even though at my school I was known for my troubles, I am never as worse as the girls who talk behind each other’s backs in the bathroom. I honestly didn’t see why I was also the only Hmong girl who was the problem child at school. Why was I the only girl at school that was truthful about my own unhappiness? I believe I am more

an otaku (lover of all things anime) manga and RPG related. The only difference was that instead of starting problems, my short-temper seemed to subside so long as I was talking, reading, or near an anime, manga, or RPG. It was the first thing besides read-ing books that any teacher had seen me so passionate about.

So, exactly what was happiness? I honestly don’t believe that happiness is given by material things- even though I admit I am happy with games, anime, manga, and many more things. However, it is the fact that I can connect with others through these things- talking about them or otherwise. Happiness can’t be given through material things. When material things are given and people are happy, you could say that they are happy because of it. However, I say that they are happy receiving it from the giver, like the saying goes, “it’s the thought that counts”.

Happiness is universal. You can find it anywhere, in anyway, at anytime. I want to believe that it is the enjoyment that makes us happy, not the possessions. Thus, I’ll keep saying happiness is universal.

Hap

pines

s is Universal

What I Believe

By Manee Thao, HmoobTeen Editor, 17, Saint Paul, MN

I’ve always been faced with two choices- one is always a decision of desire; the other a decision of necessity. Both decisions can make me happy, but one can make me even happier than the other one and the other one can make someone else even happier than me. Or so I tend to believe. For ex-ample, as teenagers, we are all faced with a decision that will be the result of where we are in ten years. I could choose to ne-glect my academics and enjoy my teen years or I can study and sacrifice the fun that I could have instead. This can be seen as choosing happiness for now and ignor-ing the importance of school. The latter can be seen as choosing happiness for later, while preparing for the future so that they can succeed. I’ve walked down both roads and neither are rather pretty sights.

Therefore, I can conclude that taking the high road in school is no easy task. You study, you study, you take a break, and you study some more. This has been my life for the last twelve years; it was only recently that I broke this pattern. This was because I no longer wished to conform to the beliefs of my parents and the belief of so many of my peers. It was tiring being the perfect student. At times, I felt it was even pointless. I kept telling myself, “This is for my family. I’ll have time to enjoy my life later, when I’m older and wiser.” And it was all because of this belief that I kept myself going for so long. I chose to keep my family happy, while myself miserable.

However, somewhere along the road, someone started to question my way of life. He made me realize that I was con-forming to these beliefs and being another voiceless face in the crowd. Where I was quiet and walked on the sidewalk, he was loud and danced in the streets. Where I stood back and watched things happen, he made things happen. I admired that and aspired to be like him. He was spon-taneous and his attitude was contagious. It wasn’t long before it rubbed off onto me. Before I knew it, I became an enthusias-tic, bubbly, and unique individual myself. Before I met him, I knew exactly where my life was going. Now, I’m not so sure.

Of course, my parents noticed this change in my behavior and became infuriated by my actions. I, myself, was murderously angry at my parents for not understanding that I

didn’t want my life to revolve around their expectations. Sure, I had my fun, but I was still getting my good grades too. Some-thing as small as a minus sign tagged along to my “A” meant that I had been up to no good. It was insane the way they reacted. So of course, I drove myself deeper into this other lifestyle; I spent late nights out with my coworkers, going to movies ‘til one in the morning- playing pool afterwards. I did anything just to be able to avoid being at home. I would come back getting screamed at. Most of my nights would end with my-self sitting there in the darkest corner of my room reflecting on what I had done.

And you know what? I didn’t even regret it. Even though I was sacrificing the happiness of my parents and friends, I was keeping myself happy. But after my parents had

given up on me; after I had quit work for school; after my friends had snubbed me because I betrayed them for my coworkers; I looked back and realized that happiness is only real when shared. Although I had kept myself happy for so long, it meant nothing in the end. Every-one was just angry with me. Even though I was always with my coworkers, once I quit work, they stopped calling me to come hang out. My family was always there but I treated them like a second option to me. My friends were always there but I had always left them for my coworkers. I was ashamed to go back to them as a traitor. I was left alone.

And the boy who had in-spired it all in the begin-ning, he was the only per-son left to turn to. It made me realize no matter how much I’m going to want to broaden my horizons, it will all mean nothing if I have no one to share that happiness with. I could trek across the

Alaskan frontier and return, enthralled with my adventure, but only I would know the feeling of how triumphant it is, and in the end, I would just feel alone because no one could relate to my selfish kind of happiness.

Therefore, I resolved to make decisions that I could cope with, without having to feel mis-erable about it in the end. I resolved to keep things simple, while maintaining the happi-ness of my friends and family, because hap-piness is only real when shared. This I believe.

What I Believe

Happiness Only Real When Shared By Sandy Xiong, HmoobTeen Editor, 17, Maplewood, MN

Spring 2010 HMoobTEEn / 19Artwork by Jennifer Her, Saint Paul, MN


Many parents do not know what happens when their children log onto the internet behind closed doors. A very small percentage of teenagers know their limits and know how to be safe online. But what about young children who are just starting to experiment with the online community and do fall into the traps of manipulation and false identity? What happens when the young children are hurt by another online, stalked or even preyed? We will never know unless the victim seeks for justice and speaks out.

My sister is the youngest in my family. Yet, at the age of nine, she has an Asiantown.com account- where the age limit is thirteen. At first, I didn’t think anything would happen, but it did. On a random day, an unknown phone number sent a text message directly for her. It asked her, “Hey, what’s up?” Soon enough, he asked her out for a date. That led to the discovery that he was 21 years old. We were so shocked to find that such a thing could happen to our sister. We were upset, but mad at the same time that this had happened. My sister didn’t know who or which friend he claimed to be. She gave out her information and phone number without knowing that he was so old or someone else he had claimed to be. He didn’t reply to any of the things we sent him. He was like an ant that had crawled into the beads of sand and disappeared. We can shed shame on him and be upset,

but we never found him and we never will.

Little did she know that when she accepted a request or a message from an online buddy who was unknown, it can be another who seek for his next naïve victim. It can be a young nine year old screaming for online publicity to fit in and to have older friends. It can be your friends bullying you online, just trying to get back at you for something that you did. They will lie to you and write nasty letters to you as someone else. It can be somebody just seeking for appreciation . My point is, it can be you. Every minute you are online, someone is being stalked or hurt online.

As an older sibling, limit your younger siblings to the number of hours they spend online. Block websites that are inappropriate for their age or keep a pass code for extra security. Make sure that they do not give out their information to unknown people or pretend to be someone

older of age. Do what you can to keep your siblings safe and protected whether online or not. Sit down and talk to them, remind them of the danger and make sure they understand even if they are be-ing stubborn. Make this a privilege and not only an option to boredom. Open up new activities to them and show them life beyond the computer screen. It doesn’t hurt to love them because you bare the right to protect every one of them.

Nothing matters most but the abundance of great care towards your loved ones. With one small step in something too big to handle alone, you can make a difference by advocating such things like this. You can make someone feel much more loved because they know they’re not in danger. This is something we can control and it will only be easier when we all link hands to help each other.

With internet websites becoming more popular by the minute, the internet community has slowly progressed into the new hang-out place of the modern world. It has developed a motivation for those of us who have no online experience to cre-ate profiles on websites like Asiantown, Facebook, or MySpace. Today’s youths have become more active online and the controversy of it all is that they can all be the prey of an online predator.

Unknown Internet Dangers The World That Unravels After Doors Are ClosedBy Jennifer Lor, HmoobTeen Editor, 14, Saint Paul, MN


Public Health Column

1-866-379-6363

TaKe good Care of your menTaL HeaLTHBy Sai Vang, HmoobTeen Editor-In-Chief

In the fall of 2009, Pachia Vue (Health and Wellness Coordinator at Hmong American Partnership) and I interviewed Hmong mental health professionals on the state of mental health in our communi-ty. What we found was alarming yet not surprising. Mental health is a concern in the Hmong community. It is not something we talk about in our families and circle of friends. Generally, when some-one hears the word, mental health, we automatically associate the term with people who are crazy. The World Health Organiza-tion defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruit-fully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” We will all be affected by mental concern in life at one point in time, this is normal. It is important to learn about how your mental health affects your overall health so that you can take good care of your health.

The number one condition that affects everyone is depres-sion in our community. Our Elders suffer especially with major depression due to social factors that impact the circumstances of their lives. For instance, they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or flash backs of the Vietnam War. This can se-verely impact the way they live their lives. If you feel like someone is always chasing after you and trying to kill you or seeing so many dead bodies along their journey to safety, this can make life in American difficult.

Many youths suffer from depression as well but many more suf-fer from bicultural identity stress. Growing up in America, youths are stressed out about meeting dual expectations as an Ameri-can youth and as a Hmong youth at home. In American society, individualism is the norm but in the Hmong culture, we are taught to put our family’s interest before ours. These two conflicting ideas can lead many youths to depression if not treated.

There is no single known caused for depression rather it is a com-bination of genetic, environment, and psychological factors. There are many different levels of depression. Many people will suffer from mild depression but can come out because they have strong social support, acknowledge their problem, seek help, or are in good physical health. However, untreated depression can lead to death.

These are only two examples of the types of mental health con-cerns in our community. Pachia and I have taken the information we’ve gathered and turned it into a music campaign to increase awareness of mental health in our community. In May of 2010, a CD of songs from musicians across Minnesota will be released. The songs will help address the theme of mental health and we hope that everyone will take good care of their mental health. This is especially important when you are young. Learn about it and prevent future conditions from occurring.

Visit www.hmong.org/kajsiab to learn more about the CD project and listen to the songs.


Poems

dear niam (mom) By Kia Lor, 18, Saint Joseph, MN

If only you could read these wordsThese alien, English alphabets

If only I could tell you these wordsIn person, in our native Hmong tongue

I would tell you how much I admire Your strength as a woman

I love your free-will, your open-mindYour willingness to dodge bullets

And move mountainsThe scars on your pigment The pureness of your heart

The beauty of your smile, eyes, ears, nose, and mouthThe wisdom that ages with your white hair

And he scent of steamed rice, pho, and curry

I would also tell you how much I detest youThe way you seem to never care what about what I do

My straight A’s that seem meaningless to youMy scholarships that you’ll never know about

The way you put yourself down andHide behind invisible doors not knowing I can see everything

The way you fence your dreams within his dreamsLock yourself inside your own prison, and

Sold your soul to the devil

But I re-focus my lensAnd accept the fact that you’re human

Therefore you’re not perfectIt’s because of your self-sacrifice

That makes you beautiful inside and outAnd even sometimes when I am able to say I hate you

I am not able to tell you I love youYou don’t know how powerful of a person you are

Because every word from your lips Has the ability to flip my whole world

But I am not capable of telling you these wordsIn person, in our native Hmong tongue

You cannot comprehend these alien, English alphabetsEven if you were to read these words

beLieveBy Goaong Lee, 14, Morganton, NC

The person in meIs what I believeWhat I have is just too hard to seeI’m not evil I’m just acting normalI believe in meHow I act is the way I amDon’t change meI’m not like thatI don’t believe hateThose things are nothing but fakeLiars, cheaters, and their leadersThose are the things I shouldn’t believeIt is not the way I want to beIt’s just not meBelieve has a good meaningB- Be always who you want to beE- Evil is not the answerL- Love will be hard to achieveI- It’s how it will beE- Even those who don’t believeV- Vine is like your life it is all twisted upE- Everybody don’t expect you to be perfectSo don’t give upIn who you areFor what you do

WaiTing on a moTHerBy Panhia Lee, HmoobTeen Editor, 18, Saint Paul, MN The air between ushave shifted as time flew byI was only ninewhen you decided it was time to say goodbyeyearning for a motherwaiting to recoverfill this hole in my chest with dirt so I won’t suffer waiting for you to come backwaiting for you to come back waiting, justwaiting in the dark searchingfor your hands to pull you back to meso I could feelknow a mother’s lovebut reality isthe dead can not come back


Comics

ComicsBy Yeej M

oua, Hm

oo

bTe

en

Editor, 16, Missoula, M

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By Manee Thao, HmoobTeen Editor, 17, Saint Paul, MN



ComebackMusic allows a person to express

themselves in various ways. To be specific, Hmoob music allows

teenagers to maintain our native language. Though, there are Hmoob music for the older and younger generations today, the type of Hmoob music made for the young-er generation are music that have modern sounds. For example, today Hmoob music sounds like songs on mainstream pop radio stations. These songs use more rock and electronic sounds to back up their vocals.

The Sounders is one of many bands that have been making music for the Hmoob community since the early 1990’s. They are also a band that both the young and the older generation enjoy listening to. The band consists of lead singer/guitarist Thai Thao, bass guitarist Bee Thao, guitarist Kwan Thao, on keyboard Souk Chay Thao, and drummer Yosae Lo. Just recently The Sounders released their new album Kuv Hlub Koj. I found it very interesting and cool that they came out with yet another album that seems as successful as the previous album, Pais. To welcome them back, I’ve interviewed lead singer Thai Thao.

What made you guys decide to come back with another album?Thai Thao (TT): Music has always been ourpassion. We just took a really long break

to do [other] things in our personal lives but we have been planning for a very long time.

What was the inspiration behind Kub Hlub Koj?TT: As we get older, we see the world in a different light. But the inspiration for this album is of course our fans and life itself.

Which track off Kub Hlub Koj did you guys enjoy writing the most?TT: The whole album! Each song has its uniqueness. But the ones that come to mind the most are Kuv Hlub Koj, Hlub Xaus Li No, and Daj Dee. Which songs do you guys perform most frequently when you have a concert?TT: We pretty much perform about 80% of our songs. But some of the ones that comes to mind are: Dua Rhe Nplooj Siab, Pais, 1000 miles, Rose, Ib Zaug Ntxiv, Phim Nyub Vais, and Vim Koj Daim Duab just to name a few.

If The Sounders can have a concert anywhere in the world, where would it be?TT: I think we would want to have a concert somewhere in Southeast Asia. It would feel so much like “going home”. What are you looking forward to in 2010?

TT: We are looking toward one of the best year for The Sounders yet. We’re a band that continues to strive to always be better than one day ago. Also looking for good health and a life full of success.

Who comes up with the concept for your music videos?TT: A combination of ideas from our producers and the story of the music itself. For a couple of month we’d toss ideas back and for through email to producers in Thailand for locations, plots, etc. But we’re very happy with the outcome of this album. They are by far some of the best music videos that we have made. I know that a couple of The Sounders al-bums are on ITunes, will Kub Hlub Koj be on there as well anytime soon?TT: Yes, most definitely.

Besides recording/writing music, what does the band do together?TT: Before the band we were all just re-ally good friends. We have maintained that relationship until today. We do many things together. Should we expect The Sounders to have another album in the future?TT: Anything is possible. But the future is too far away to say.

Music

By Yeej Moua, H

mo

ob

Tee

n Editor, 17, M

issoula, MT


Matthew Saykao thaoI actually conquered my fear of driving. I’m really paranoid about being independent in life!

kelly Z. yangI learned how to accept things the way they are. I used to hate

everything that was different from me. now I realized being different is interesting, if I understand it.

ka Zoua VangI graduated top ten in my class and survived the transition into college! I would definitely redo it if I had to.

JennIfer lySaythongI accomplished many things in 2009. as a peer mediator, I was able to solve many teen con-flicts. I had two poems published. I was selected to be an assistant accountant for a program to help out the hmong in laos to prevent the Chinese government from digging out hmong graves. I also accomplished a lot in school too and made my parents proud of me.

Meng yangI survived a week in the wilderness.

bao XIongMakin’ my high school transcript lookin’

good as ever, all from my junior year! last but not least, the project I did with

my blackbird elements, tou Saiko lee and Justin Schell - we did it!

EDIToRS’ bIoS

htm_spring_2010_what_i_believe

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