Author Archives: Tim

About Tim

I'm a Chinese/Taiwanese-American, born in Taiwan, raised on Long Island, went to college in Philadelphia, tried Wall Street and then moved to the California Bay Area to work in high tech in 1990. I'm a recent dad and husband. Other adjectives that describe me include: son, brother, geek, DIYer, manager, teacher, tinkerer, amateur horologist, gay, and occasional couch potato. I write for about 5 different blogs including 8Asians. When not doing anything else, I like to challenge people's preconceived notions of who I should be.

Hollywood Chinese

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Tim

Most PBS stations will air tonight (May 27, 2009) a 90 minute showing of American Masters, titled Hollywood Chinese, produced in 2008. The film covers a century of Chinese involvement in Hollywood cinema. The film is produced, directed, written and … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements, Current Events, Movies, Reviews, San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Finding Home

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Tim

We’ve covered in previous posts and comments on 8asians the topic of labels and self-identification. Some of the opposing points of view have caused some heated debates, specifically around one label that I use myself, Taiwanese-American. While I won’t justify … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Observations | Tagged | 2 Comments

visualizAsian.com

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Tim

There’s a new website for Asians called visualizAsian.com started by Erin Yoshimura and Gil Asakawa. visualizAsian’s goal is simple: To provide inspiration and empowerment to AAPIs by showcasing AAPI role models, leaders, movers & shakers from the media, politics, sports, … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements, Ask an Asian, Discrimination, Entertainment | Tagged | 2 Comments

Disney’s “Trail of the Panda” Opened Last Friday

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Tim

Disney’s Trail of the Panda opened last Friday, but you wouldn’t know about it if you lived in North America. That’s because this feature film is Disney’s second Chinese-language film and opened in mainland China. The film almost didn’t make … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Entertainment, Family, Movies | Tagged | 3 Comments

Love and Chinese Families

Posted on May 10, 2009 by Tim

I recently discovered a blog called “Being Asian in America“. It’s fairly new (first post was May 3 of this year), and the writer seems quite young, but he strikes on quite a few interesting topics. One topic that immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Observations | Tagged | 24 Comments

On Talking With or Without an Accent

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Tim

I recently read a blog post from Louis Yap, an 18 year old Malaysian, on the topic of putting on a fake American accent when talking to foreigners. Apparently a lot of Malaysians drop their typical Malay accent and go … Continue reading →

Posted in Discrimination, Observations | Tagged | 14 Comments

Can Asians Innovate in Business?

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Tim

I’ve written a few posts here on the lack of Asian executives in American businesses. It’s been argued by some that Asians are just too reserved to be an executive. Others claim it’s because Asians don’t have an entrepreneurial or … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Education, Observations | Tagged | 9 Comments

Where Are the Asian CEOs?

Posted on May 1, 2009 by Tim

The question of Asians in executive row is the topic of an upcoming panel discussion, titled “Where are the Asian CEOs?” in Santa Clara, California. On May 20th, the Asia Society Northern California (ASNC), Ascend Bay Area and Corporate Executive … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements, Business, Discrimination, San Francisco Bay Area | Tagged | 10 Comments

Another Looted Chinese Relic Sells At Auction

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Tim

It happened again, another looted piece of Chinese art that was stolen by the British and French troops from the Summer Palace in Beijing went to auction and was sold for 1.68 million Euros. This time, the piece of art … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, The Arts | Tagged | 2 Comments

Act of Congress Allows Mom to Stay

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Tim

It took an act of Congress, but there’s good news for the mom I wrote about a few weeks back. She won’t get deported and separated from her kids and her partner. Shirley Tan was scheduled for deportation because she … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Discrimination, Family, LGBT | Tagged | 3 Comments

Best Companies for Asians to Work For

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Tim

Diversity Inc, released this week, their list of the top 10 best companies to work for, if you’re Asian. 401 companies applied for this honor, and the resulting list was chosen based on organizations that “demonstrated a long-term commitment to … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Current Events, Discrimination | Tagged | 2 Comments

Great Wall of China Longer Than Previously Thought

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Tim

Scientists have discovered that the Great Wall of China is about 1,000 miles longer than previously believed. A two-year study carried out by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping used GPS and … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Family | Tagged | 2 Comments