Inspired by "An Inconvenient Truth"

A friend of mine, Harvey L., lend me "An Inconvenient Truth" to watch over this Memorial weekend (Thank you Harvey). What an inspiration! I was moved by Al Gore's message about global warming. He presented us with the problems and gave us solutions in which we can do to rescue our fragile Earth and save it for future generations. At the very end of his documentary, Gore showed a picture of our Earth taken by a space craft as it continued to travel into space- a little blue speck on the screen was "... our only home..." he said. Those three words touched me tremendously and almost brought me into tears. His message goes beyond boundaries, countries, religions, race and differences to just one home, one nation, one human race and one Earth. And so this blog is a salute to the "Inconvenient Truth" and to Al Gore, an environmentalist and politician. I thank him for his untiring travels and talks to everyone who is listening, learning and making some changes. A message he tries to convey and gets across to us all is to wake up and save the Earth before it is too late.



The DVD's front cover. I think everyone should see and learn from this documentary.



The DVD's back cover.


And ten things that individual can do to help save our planet. I have been doing all nine, except the fourth "check your tires" and "drive less" because I don't have a car. "Plant a tree" and "recycle more" are things that I often do. I hate to see in some neighborhoods front and back yards that have nothing but cement. Perhaps I should make copies of this "Ten things to do" and put them in their mail boxes to spread the message around. As a matter of fact, some of my neighbors' yards have nothing at all. Maybe this is where I am going to start -- in my own neighborhood.





My front yard. There was nothing here except the big pine tree when we first bought the house. I bought and planted all the shrubs and ground covers. I recycled old pipes, bricks, pots and even a broken ventilation cover on the roof that resembles something out of an Asian garden.



Left side of my garden. A galvanised bucket and a basket are all recycled stuff that I found in the back yard junk when the previous owner moved out.



Right side of my garden. These are all found pots, stone slabs and old tiles that I reused to make the stepping path.



My back yard. There was nothing here either, except the three big plum trees that were planted when they first built the house maybe over seventy years ago. The only things that I bought were the two plastic fawns.



A neighbor's front yard. Nothing here but the ugly cement and an empty land. What a waste!



This big front yard of another neighbor has nothing but grass.



And this is his back yard. The dead tree was an apple tree. It was alive and giving out lots of apples last year. Due to the excessive use of chemical sprays that he uses every year, the only tree in his yard is now dead and gone. He just bought a swing seat last week. But what good is it if there is no trees and plants to give you shade, beauty and relaxation?



Another neighbor's large front yard is covered with cement so he can park his three cars-one SUV, and two smaller cars for his wife and mother.

According to the Ten Things To Do List "a single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime." Al Gore's documentary sends a message to us all that we need to wake up and make some changes for the better. And I agree with him completely, don't you?

Today is Memorial day, but we do not go out. Instead Anh-Vu (my older son) and I planted some trees in our back yard. It was hard work -- digging, weeding, planting and cleaning in the sun. Right now I am exhausted and my muscles ache, but it was worth it. Seeing the newly planted trees standing tall and soaking up sunlight, waving their leaves in the gentle breeze, we are very happy.

Happy planting season everyone! And long live the Earth and its care takers!


COMMENT:

June 1, 2007

You are welcome Nga. I enjoy your blog. Like reading a bit into your mind. Lovely. Harvey.

Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, California

The city of Berkeley is famous for its diversity population. Its University is one of the best and well known in the United States. Telegraph Avenue goes straight into the heart of the University and therefore widely recognized as one of the main arteries of the city.



This is the map of the famous Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, all six blocks of it ( highlight in orange.)





The colorful flyer about the Avenue (click on image to enlarge.)



From Telegraph Avenue facing the University of Berkeley. Sproul Hall-Admissions Office is on the right and Sather Gate is straight ahead.





Corner of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way, the University is on the left.



When I went to UCB in the 80s, this cafe was there and it is still here. According to the cashier, it has been on the same spot for 50 years and still counting. He said they invented the cafe latte.


But familiar Cody's Book has now closed its doors.









I wonder who the long-bearded Rasputin Music guy is?







What good is a college town without its music stores?









...And the fast food restaurants? I used to eat at Top Dog and Blondie's Pizza a lot when I was at the UCB. They were good, fast and cheap enough to fit my student's budget. They still are, and still very crowded at lunch time.





Noah's bagels are really good, they also have great spreads in variety of flavors like Strawberry, Blueberry, Cinnamon Raisin and so on. Noah wasn't there in the 80s though.



Inside Noah's Bagel looking out at one of the artist-vendor's tables.



This whole Village Restaurant is devoted to Asian foods.



There are also new restaurants on the blocks which reflect the ever changing dynamic, taste and diversity of the city. But don't let the word "diversity" fools you, it doesn't mean racism does not exist in Berkeley. In my 31 years in California, I have experienced racist remarks from both White and Black people. Years ago, a white woman I met on AC Transit bus told me: "Go back to where you came from!" just because I stood in the middle of the crowded bus and she said that was blocking her view. Wasn't that shocking? Nobody in the States have the right to say that to another immigrant (except Native Americans.)

In another incident, there was this Black panhandler that I met three times and each time he asked me for a quarter. I said I did not have any. He then yelled at me: "I know you're lying, you fucking Chinese!" Black people are always on edge and often complain about White's unfair treatments and discrimination of minorities, but this man was obviously a racist to the core.

A couple of weeks ago, I got on the bus that was full of college students and the only seat was left was the one on the front so I took it. Half way to my destination, the bus unloaded most of the students. One old White woman, who was sitting on the other side popped onto the empty seat next to me and began to read the sign that said "Please yield these seats to the elderly and handicapped when necessary." And then proceeded to tell me that I shouldn't be seating there. I said to her "But there is no elderly (except her) or handicapped here. Why don't you tell that to other young people here? Why do you pick me? And you should mind your own business." She yelled at me "You shut up!" The bus driver interfered on my behalf and told her that she was wrong and I was "good." I wondered why she picked me? Because I am a small Asian woman, I may not speak English and therefore an easy target?

And just a few days ago, a Black teenage boy chanted loudly when he saw me "Ching, Cheng, Chong!", but I ignored him. Later he came over and sat next to me on the bench while I was waiting for the bus, and said those stupid words again. But a police cruiser suddenly appeared and he scurried away. Racism in Berkeley does exist and I have experienced it. Diversity sometimes means more culture clashes, problems or resentment for us to face.







Berkeley's Telegraph Avenue is also famous for its mural, artist vendors and tie-dye shirts.



Computer game store is a new "kid on the block."



...And so is the tattoo parlor. Telegraph Avenue is one of the students and tourists' favorite hang-out. The atmosphere is very relaxed, fun, lively and has a do-whatever-you-want-to-do attitude to go with it, and I like that.

Cinco de Mayo Festival, Oakland May 5, 2007

Every year on May 5th, Latino people in the United States celebrate Mexico's victory over the invading French army on the morning of May 5, 1862. My children and I joined in this special day of celebration with music, dance, food and fun in the Fruitvale area of the city of Oakland.



The ad in the local newspaper about Cinco de Mayo.



The headlines of the celebration in the Fronteras.



The Tribune Newspaper headquarter in Oakland stands against the beautiful blue Saturday sky.



While waiting for Anh-Vu (my older son) to make a rendezvous with Bao and I, I took some pictures of interesting buildings around downtown Oakland. The reflection on this building always fascinates me.



We were now in Fruitvale area, people and the Mexican flags were everywhere.





Fruitvale Village is right across from Fruitvale BART station, a very convenient connection to the East Bay Area.



Children like to go in these to bounce around.







The water fountain in the middle of the Village.



This is a Vietnamese fast food restaurant in the Village, and fast food= mediocre food.



This snack-cart reminds me of the sandwich cart in Viet Nam.



And these chips taste similar to that of Vietnamese's banh phong tom or shrimp chips.



It was pretty hot that day (around 80F), so seeing these beautiful sweaters made me feel even hotter.



Music instruments made from some kind of seeds. The little cute toy animals shake their heads in the gentle breeze or when you pick them up.







The hats and masks stand caught my attention because it was so colorful.


I tried several unsuccessful times to get a right snap shot of this beautiful little girl.



The Latino ladies.



...And the Latino men.






The dresses and the jewelries.



Bao likes ice cream.



...And I like the red Che Guevara flag.





These tall glass fruit drinks cost 7 dollars per glass, you can keep the glass of course.





There was similar kind of ice cream truck in Viet Nam too with ringing bells to catch customers' attention.



B.B.Q. stand omitted lots of smoke and it smelled really good. Yum! Yum!





The Latino music and the dance made you want to sing and dance (even if you don't know how to dance, like me.)



Art work by a Latino artist.



A fish pinata. It is a popular game among Latino people during a birthday party. There are lots of candies inside the fish. And this is how a game is played: A child selected will be blind-folded, turn around by an adult a few times, when let go, he/she has to hit the pinata with a long stick. He/she will get only one try, if he/she could not hit it another child will have a turn. When finally the pinata breaks open and candies spills out, the rest of the children would join in to pick up the candies.


Even a pet dog joined in the celebration. But he did not look very enthusiastic though.









Colorful balloons were also everywhere.



Even the trash cans are colorful and decorative. We felt like we were in Mexico. We really had a good time and already looked forward to next year's festivities at the end of the day.