New Cabinet. Not visible to the naked eye: sheer determination and balls of Asian steel.

Sup Crew, how'd your summer go? Hopefully it was filled with random adventures, sightseeing and fun. If not, well, then at least you got ahead in school. Or if you're a bum like me, you got caught up on a decade's worth of movies (B-films included).

So lemme fill you in on what's been happening. APSA just got a revamp this year. Brand new people, brand new goals, essentially a brand new club. It's newer, better, faster, and stronger (minus a 6 million dollar surgery). So I think I've overused the word "new" now. So let's get back basics with the "old" stuff.

APSA will be what it has, is, and will always be about: having a support network for all the Asian and Pacific Islander organizations out there on campus. Expect more of the same, but better. We're prepping for a whole 'nother year. Let's do this.

Our ghettolicious booth. Not pictured: you.

You know it. We love it. Free food, picnic, and every single club on campus doing whatever it takes to get your attention. Damn, doesn't it feel good to be a freshman? No worries, we got ya covered. Come by our booth and check us out. We have bonuses if you sign up for our emails, pick up a flyer, and come to our first meeting.

On Tuesday September 22 of O-week we got a BBQ going on from 12pm - 5pm. Drop by for some free grub, good times, and interesting conversation. Cost to you? Absolutely nothing. So honestly, what do you have to lose (except a full stomach?). Meet the people you are missing out on.

We'll be having our BBQ kickback at Turtle Rock Park. Don't worry, its close by and rides will be provided. Just be at the flagpoles around 12-ish, and look for the guys in the brownshirts (but not the Nazi kind). Or get in contact with us, and we'll set you up.For more information, you can check out our Facebook events page.

Our first meeting will be exactly as awesome as this. If not more.

Come one, come all to the very first APSA meeting of the academic year. Cross-Cultural Center (directly across from Admin) on Tuesday September 29, from 7:30-8:30 pm.

First 50 people get free boba. You heard right. FREE BOBA. What's the deal?

Yeah, you got us. Gotta bring in an APSA flyer to receive the said free boba. Hey, we're all human here. Nothing comes free, yo. Besides, there should be more than enough flyers going around to start a small-scale ecological disaster.

Afterevent: Steelhead Brewery for some $5 pizza--the staple of any good college diet. Plus they got really good brew for the 21+ crowd. Mmmm....beeeer <drooools>.

Hope to see y'all there.

South Korea's got Seoul

Slight change of plans, folks. It seems we've hit a bit of a SNAFU with the greedy faceless corporations who own Better Luck Tomorrow (Justin Lin not included), so instead we'll be heading over to Liberty In North Korea's (LINK) event: a screening of the award winning documentary Seoul Train.

This movie explores the growing refugee crisis eminating from North Korea. A preview of the movie may be seen here.

The movie will be screened at HIB 110. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Confused where it is? No worries, just meet up at the APSA room and we'll have someone escort you safely across the dangerous Irvine campus.

ALSO: Board applications for open positions are UP. Please click here to download.

Well, this week, we finally answer that question. What are the Asian stereotypes and why are they bad? (We should add procrastinating Asian to that list).

Head on over: same time, same place, same awesome faces (yours of course. Mine makes babies cry). Our afterevent: Board Games and food. What better way to kill time?

Also, Board Applications are still up! Deadline October 21.

More Asian culture in a few pages than on all of cable TV

So, ever wonder what is the relevancy of being Asian in regards to popular media and culture? (No, Tila Tequila does NOT count). You know this question keeps you up at nights. And if it doesn't, well, maybe it should!

This week's discussion: Asian Americans and Popular Culture. With a topic this broad, wide, and varied, anyone's opinion is fair game. So come on over, and we'll start a discussion on K-drama, Heroes, 21, Giant Robots, Anime, Hollywood "adaptations," art, music, philosophy, poetry and whatever else strikes your fancy.

Afterevent: Dollah Theater (racial tint only slightly offensive). As always, rides will be provided to and from school. Same time and place -- CCC Tuesdays @ 7:30 PM.

A board position just opened up! Advocacy Chair is now available to all who are interested. This is a great way to get yourselves involved in APSA as well as build community connections! Board apps can be downloaded here. Deadline Oct. 20.

Vietnamese joke removed due to political correctness

Hey all, remember how we were gonna screen Better Luck Tomorrow a few weeks back? Well, we somehow managed to one-up ourselves. This week, instead of our regularly scheduled programming, we'll be having a sneak preview of the upcoming film by Vietnamese director Le-Van Kiet called Dust of Life. The screening will be followed by a Q&A section with the director himself. Oh yeah, did we mention it was free?

The story focuses on growing up as a Vietnamese youth living in America during the 1990's. Facing difficulties living within this environment, a group of teenagers resort to a life of crime and violence. The film was shot in Orange County, so all you local kids should be able to recognize a good chunk of the locales.

The event is free for students (with ID), but donations are accepted and goes towards funding Project MoTivate--an afterschool mentoring program based in Garden Grove. It will be shown at HH 178 with doors opening at 6:00 PM. Early arrival is suggested!

Communism: It's a party!

This week, the subject turns a little personal. Historically speaking, almost every Asian country has dabbled with communism (China post WWII, Korean War, Vietnamese War, Cambodia, Mynamnar, etc). Perhaps more than any other race, the Asians have dealt head-on with communism for the later half of the 20th century.

So come on in as we discuss how the past affects our present, how our parents dealt with communism, and how it perpetuates the generational gap that exists here in the United States. Because otherwise i'd be Soviet Russia, where meetings discuss you.

Cross Cultural Center Ring Room on Tuesdays @ 7:30 PM.

Be There! or be...square?

Reach out! You can do it! I belieeeeve in yoouuuuuuuuu!!

So this week, R.E.A.C.H. (Reaffirming Ethnic Awareness and Community Harmony) will be having a workshop with APSA members--following which we will have a discussion about our various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. This stuff's gonna be deep, yo.

So head on over--same time and place--as we get to know one another really well. It'll be interesting, poignant, and maybe even a little mind blowing. Besides, we have no school Wednesday, so what've you got as an excuse? Afterevent: bowling! Hells yeah.

UPDATES

Hot Dog Fundraiser this Thursday from 11 am - 4 pm. Find us on Ring Road!
APAAC planning underway! Contact a board member if you want to help out.

Above: a poignant comic about marriage and the lgbt community. Click for full ressolution.

Growing up in California (especially if you're from Bay Area), the LGBT community's presence has always been felt. However, it hasn't always been this way. Furthermore, a good proportion of the rest of America still remains fairly ignorant of the issues at hand.

This week, we will delve into the history and politics of the situation with a workshop designed to get you to (in the words of Apple) "think different." So open invite to all and invite some friends to join the discussion.