oblivious nerd girl
hood chronicles

It's the first week of a new year and like clockwork I am congested and mucusy. I thought my regimen of lemon honey water would keep my immune system up. Unfortunately my temperature sensitive body could not handle our Los Angeles winter which consists of having temperatures go from 75 degrees to 49 degrees in a day. 

Presently my voice sounds like a kid going through puberty. Yup I sound like Peter Brady singing "Time To Change."

On January 1st I continued the tradition of creating a mind map that sets out the goals for 2017. Whenever I do this exercise a theme organically comes about. This year's theme is GET SHIT DONE.

2016 was a dumpster fire of a year, however there were some notable moments personally. I became a godmother again to my adorable niece EC. She has resting bitch face down already. EC is a valley girl through and through.  

Color Your Troubles Away had a good run. I'm taking a break from it. I don't think it's gone forever. It will make comebacks in 2017. This time around it won't be monthly, but intentional and with collaboration and purpose. 

Through This Filipino American Life we've done amazing things. I could not be prouder of the work we've done on this show. I am so thankful for valley twin Joe for inviting me to collaborate with him on this project. Talking to Deedee Magno Hall was a dream come true. 12 year old Elaine could not contain her excitement. You can hear it here on our special end of the year bonus episode! 

With Tsismis Council we began our Short Flags Documentary journey. I cannot wait to continue with this project. I am so excited to meet the Filipino American women and men who are a part of this sport. Creating a venue to share those stories is a part of my 2017 goals. 

I have always been a bookworm. My goal last year was 50 books. I scrambled to complete the task. This year the goal is 52 books. That breaks down to a book a week. Crossing my fingers that this gets done this year. I've signed up for a couple of book clubs, so hopefully they get me to my goal!

This year has started out quite musical. On our donation run I foundthis. Then on my 2nd day back at work I've had Dashboard Confessional playing on Spotify. And then my puppy wall calendar came in at work. 12 months of puppy awesomeness is going to greet me Monday through Friday. 

2017 dreams are pretty sweet so far. Let's do this. Get Shit Done everyone! 

This is one of my favorite songs of Coloring Book. I love the Peter Pan reference. And I think it's a Hook reference which makes this song hit me a bit harder because Hook, yes Hook, has a special place in my memories.

It's not that I love the movie. Like many of you I thought it was blah. But when Moms had her stroke and she was in the hospital we got a late night call about her status. I remember rushing with dad from our house to the hospital. It was really late. Like maybe 1 or 2 in the morning. Dad went straight in to Mom's room to talk to the doctors. I hung out in the waiting room with the tv. The same waiting room I had spent many hours with when my Lola was on that floor years before.

What was on the tv?  Hook.

I paid attention. I teared up when Robin Williams' Peter Pan brought back marbles for Toodles. When Dame Maggie Smith uttered the word "Boy" I was mesmerized. For a few hours I forgot how my world had drastically changed. 

So yes, I love this song. I appreciate it tremendously. Chance the Rapper was a bright spot in 2016. Also I did not realize how much he looked like a pug. Like if I made a calendar of adorable dogs as rappers, I would use a pug for Chance. It would make sense. And yes I've provided pictures of adorable pugs that I have found through Google for reference. 

The TFAL Podcast crew has been quite productive. This week we put out a timely episode about the holidays! On this episode we talk about holiday traditions. Listen as Ryan talks about his life on the streets, how Mike needs to give us a sample of his minus one solos, and how Joe keeps up the Santa tradition alive for his family. Me? I talk about how I found Santa's gift wrap and that I was still writing to letters to Santa in my teens.  Yes my teens. Enjoy this episode! And SPOILER ALERT. If you are listening and have kids, maybe this is one you might wanna skip with them, because we spill the beans about Santa! 

Originally posted on This Filipino American Life:

Christmas is coming! (Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit!)  What are your unique Filipino American Christmas traditions?  Do you go to Simbang Gabi…at 7pm?  Do you make parols?  Do you visit the Philippines every Christmas?  Do you send your loved ones balikbayan boxes?  Do you eat Queso de Bola after midnight mass?  Do you watch NBA basketball all day with your family while eating lechon and candied ham?
Join the TFAL crew as they reminisce about old Christmas traditions they grew up on.  Find out how Elaine discovered the real truth about Santa Claus.  Find out which is Producer Mike’s favorite Xmas movie.  Find out what Shrek character Ryan dressed up as.  And find out what the heck is going on in the picture above.
Listen through the embedded player below, download directly here, or subscribe to us on iTunes here!

Mike picked up a fancy shmancy 360 camera and captured what it's like when we record TFAL at Berllado Studios. As you can see we have fun doing this show. 

On Episode 6.5 we talk about GAMBLING. Listen as Ryan, Joe, and I harmonize the sounds that a slot machine makes. We talk about our experiences with gambling, Vegas trips, and show our knowledge of Indian casinos in California. 

Originally posted on This Filipino American Life

May the odds be forever in your favor!

Maybe you find a slot machine’s bright colors and sounds entertaining, or perhaps you cherish the time you spend with friends on your way to a casino in a free air conditioned bus, or maybe even more simply, it could be the thrill of the possibility of having more money than you started with. However you cut it, a lot of Filipino Americans like to gamble in casinos, at home, or in an underground cockfighting ring.  For many Filipinos throughout the U.S., gambling is easily accessible. Over 60 Indian casinos are available to people who have itchy palms for those of in California like us. And if that’s not enough, Nevada is just a few hours away.

Is it really in the Filipino culture to gamble?  Is gambling a form of entertainment?  Is there more to gambling than trying to get rich? Are Filipinos just trying to cash in their good karma?

Listen to our stories about mahjong marathon sessions; find out which TFAL member is the Pusoy Dos Champion; or  listen as we vocalize a slot machine’s sound of fake coins dropping into a bucket (yeah, we did that). Take a chance and download our podcast. If you listen, you might just win something!

Many things have happened! We were on Kababayan Today on Thanksgiving and Black Friday. ​Thank you to G for giving us the opportunity to share our show with her audience. I'm so thankful to be on this journey with my friends! It was super meta watching the show while eating our Thanksgiving meal with Mike's family. 

Since my last post This Filipino American Life has posted two episodes of the podcast! We talk about our post election thoughts in Episode 6. And we talk about Filipino accents in Episode 5.5. 

Today is also #GivingTuesday! I like that there's now a dedicated giving day built into the shopping push for the holidays. Here are some organizations that I give the Oblivious Nerd Girl cosign! 
​

• API Giving Circle

Founded in 2007, the LA API Giving Circle is made up of a group of community-minded friends who pool together our resources to support projects and organizations in Los Angeles County that are engaged in socially-innovative, grassroots ideas.

The Circle’s grantmaking goal is to invest in community-based organizations engaged in progressive change work that serve Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and to provide funding for organizations that may not have access to mainstream foundation funds due to their size or the nature of their programs.

• FilAm Arts

When I first graduated from UCI, FilAm Arts was the Filipino American non profit that gave me a community. Many of my chosen family have come from this organization. The folks I have met through FilAm Arts inspire me everyday!

• Standing Rock

The water protectors need our support. They need supplies and funds. First nation peoples from across the globe have shown their solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. 

• API Equality-LA

API Equality-LA is an Asian and Pacific Islander (API) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organization. Your tax-deductible donation will go towards building grassroots community power and organizing for change in the Asian and Pacific Islander community. API Equality-LA is a fiscal project of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (AAAJ-LA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Audrey Kuo, friend of Oblivious Nerd Girl and a previous Oblivious Interview is the Executive Director of API-Equality-LA! 

• Advancing Justice

Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice - LA) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (NHPI). Founded in 1983 as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Advancing Justice - LA serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year.  Through direct services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, leadership development, and capacity building, Advancing Justice - LA focuses on the most vulnerable members of Asian American and NHPI communities while also building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice.  

• ACLU of Southern California

The ACLU defends the fundamental rights outlined in the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These include the right to freedom of speech and assembly; the right to religious freedom; due process of law; equality before the law; and the right to privacy. The ACLU also relies on state constitutional provisions and federal and state laws that further these and similar rights.

• Planned Parenthood Los Angeles

For the past century, Planned Parenthood has transformed women's health and empowered millions of people worldwide to make informed health decisions, forever changing the way they live, love, learn and work.

• CAIR - Greater Los Angeles Chapter

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a nonprofit, grassroots civil rights and advocacy organization. CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties organization, with affiliate offices nationwide. Its national headquarters is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. CAIR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to CAIR are tax deductible as allowable by law; our tax ID number is 77-0411194.

The Greater Los Angeles Area chapter is one of the oldest and largest CAIR chapters across the country. Back in 1996, a group of dedicated volunteers in Southern California saw a need for a unique kind of Muslim organization – an organization that would work to uphold civil rights of American Muslims, foster a better understanding of the Islamic faith and its followers, and help find avenues for Muslims to integrate more fully into the broader society.
Years later, the chapter has grown tremendously, deepening its base in the Southern California Muslim community. CAIR-Los Angeles has, moreover, become a household name among Southland Muslims, and a reliable resource and partner for media, public officials and policymakers, advocacy groups, and the interfaith and progressive communities.

• Visual Communications

Visual Communications has been my outlet for utilizing my Film Studies and Asian American Studies BAs. For the past six years I was a features programmer for the festival. This year I'm taking a break and focusing on the short flags documentary. I love that VC exists because it is our space to create and showcase AAPI filmmaking. 

Yesterday I wore white. I voted for a biracial woman to become my Senator. And I voted for a woman who has devoted her entire life to public service lose to a man who has been the most divisive racist, misogynistic, bigoted cunt this country has seen. So as you can see I feel some sort of way about this. 

We are all figuring out ways to cope. Last night I ate and drank my feelings. As I think most people did. 

I tried to take advantage of the food but to be honest my stomach was topsy turvy last night

I went to bed like this. 

I woke up like this. 

And even though I'm mourning the loss. Several good things happened during this election term. 

And locally Prop HHH passed! This is something that Mike has been working on all election season. I am very proud of the work he does on Home For Good. I normally watch election returns at home because I don't like sharing my anxiety with strangers, but for Mike I celebrated HHH. 

I know that we will survive this. We will cope. We will organize. We will work. We will create dope ass shit. And in that vein this is the music that is helping me get to that point. 

My brother Bambu has been speaking the truth for years. I have bought every album a) because he's my friend, b) I want his family to be able to eat, and c) he makes good music. You can also listen to the full album here: 

I have also created a spotify play list called "How To Survive." 

This is my way of figuring out how to survive the remainder of 2016, which for all intents and purposes has been a real dumpster fire of a year. And if you think I'm being dramatic. Well yes I am. ​

​I am grateful that last night when I went to bed, Mike held me and said "We're going to be alright. We're going to be okay. It just means we're going to do the work. We have to work harder. And I'm thankful we have each other."  He put it so much more eloquently than my Jesse Spano sobs. 

Mike's post this morning elaborates on what we need to do. 

Also in a completely irrational turn I'm never eating Cheetos again. It's not Cheetos fault, but they remind me too much of someone I'd like to not think about. I'm pretty much going to spend the next four year's saying President He Who Must Not Be Named. I am grateful for Takis. Takis Forever

This Filipino American Life Episode 5: Filipinos in Higher Education is now up. This episode was really fun to record. We had two guests on this episode. Ivy Dulay Daulo, who's an instructor at California State University Long Beach, and Kevin Casasola, a student at University of California Los Angeles. I loved that we got to hear both their perspectives on what Pilipino Studies means to them. 

We share our experiences with Pilipino Studies and Asian American Studies in college. I find it interesting that a movement that I was a part of in college called Tagalog And Pilipino Studies (TAPS) is something that Kevin and his fellow students study as an organizing model. Props to the students who continue to fight for these courses on your college campuses. 

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From This Filipino American Life:

Bakit /ˈbaːkit/ is a Tagalog word that means, “Why.”  Join the TFAL team while we go through our “Bakit List” of questions such as:

• Why do Filipino Catholics have so many Santo Niños?
• Why do our parents cover our couches and tables in plastic?  or
• Why do we love canned goods so much?

Keep listening to find out what Producer Mike’s favorite canned food is!
Listen through the embedded player below, download directly here, or subscribe to us on iTunes here!

There was magic in the air on Saturday, October 8th. I wore two hats at FPAC this year. One was as a member of the This Filipino American Life family. We conducted interviews with several artists who performed at the festival as well as interviews with long time supporters of FPAC. The biggest thing that happened was we got to talk to Deedee Magno Hall. 

This is the smile of someone who cannot believe they are taking a picture with someone they grew up watching on tv and listening to on cassette single. As a kid the Disney Channel was a premium channel and I can recall taping The Mickey Mouse Club the week we would have the channel. Why? Because of Deedee! She was young, Filipino, and acting and singing on tv. I completely fangirled on her and told her how I saw her at mall performance years ago when she toured with The Party.  Deedee is also the voice of Pearl on Steven Universe, a show that I absolutely adore and makes me cry on the regular.  I can't wait to share that interview with folks. It can be an audio commentary to this post. 

The other big thing that happened at FPAC was that we started our short flags documentary journey. Folks from Oxnard and the South Bay came out to our short flags meet up and shared their stories with us.  Many thanks to Eseel, Kirby, and Ana for holding it down. 

FPAC is a time for reunions. You tend to run into friends and family at FPAC. It's what I love about the festival. At one point during the tinikling battle something magical happened. As the familiar strings of the rondalla played a group of us began to sway balance and dance tinikling with imaginary tinikling sticks. There was no pause in the moment, we all knew the moves, and for that short moment in time we weren't TFAL or short flags documentarians, we were Filipino Americans making a memory. 

And then there was this moment. When Paul made Mike and I tear up. Catching up with this former Sessions LA student and hearing him tell Mike that Sessions saved his life was a poignant way to end the day. Thank you to everyone who shared their FPAC day with me, TFAL, and short flags. 

Guru Danny was a Master kulintang musician and artist. He was the subject of The Cotabato Sessions, a documentary film by Joel Quizon and Susie Ibarra. We were lucky to get a picture with him when he performed at FPAC in 2014. 

From The Cotabato Sessions: It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the passing of Master Danny Kalanduyan. Per sources close to him, Danny suffered a stroke at Stanford University Hospital September 27, 2016, where he had been admitted for a cardiac procedure. 

Rest In Peace, Danny. We are so honored and proud to have shared a little bit of your art and story.

Our deep condolences goes out to his family, his friends, his many students that he has mentored through the years and all of those fortunate enough to have heared and seen him perform. We have lost a legend, a true master of his craft.
In memory of the life and legacy of Danny Kalanduyan.
We would like to share our film online for the first time.  
Thank you to all of you who helped to support making this film possible.

Please share and consider donating to help pay for his funeral expenses here: https://www.gofundme.com/dannykalanduyan


We have lost a great artist among us.
We will never forget you, Danny and we will forever be grateful for sharing your passion, your art, your home, and your love with us. Your voice is the first thing we hear on this film and its your message of how music is shared and handed down generation after generation linking us to our past and our roots that will forever linger in our hearts. We will continue to keep the music always in the present.
From Susie Ibarra and Joel Quizon