My commute to work involves driving to a light rail station, taking a light rail train to downtown Sacramento, and then walking from the light rail stop to my building, a total of about thirty minutes. The train is usually about half full, and there is plenty of room. Yesterday, however, was very different.

As drove into the light rail station parking lot, I noticed that the parking lot was almost full. I parked at one of the furthest spots and turned to walk toward the tracks when I noticed hundreds of people with black bottoms and white tops. They appeared to be all Southeast Asian, but I did not want to assume. They were of all ages, from babies to the elderly, all genders, and all shades.

They stood in lines to purchase light rail tickets, waiting patiently, but intensely. They wanted to get to their destination. When the train came, the line had only shortened a little. The train was soon full anyway, and the other passengers would just have to wait for the next train.

The train left, and as we approached the next station, the same image could be seen–hundreds of Southeast Asians, waiting to buy light rail tickets and board the train. The third light rail station was no different. At that moment, my curiosity led me to ask one of the black-and-white clad individuals what was going on.

She responded that they were going to the Sacramento courthouse to march and demand the dropping of charges against Major General Pao Vang and ten other defendants. I was familiar with General Vang, as he is being accused for plotting to overthrow the government in Laos. From what I know of him, he is a leader of the Hmong community and has vocally opposed human rights violations in Laos. In further research, the defense is claiming misconduct by the government to build a case against the defendants.

It was a privilege to witness first hand the amount of political involvement these individuals have, to see them rally, and to read and hear about them in the news. One article I read commented that the rally was comparable to the civil rights actions led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez during the civil rights era.

Could it be that we are entering into another one of those eras? In my mind, there has always been people fighting for civil rights, particularly because true equality has not been reached yet. To think that a larger movement is afoot gives me chills.

Even the most dreaded situations can be learning ones. Today was day one of a federal monitoring visit from the United States Department of Education (ED), and with all the diligent preparation and anxiety leading up the visit, I was anticipating an excruciating day. However, the monitors were pleasant, and I learned and understood better the Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP). California has a huge responsibility in distributing $100 million to high-quality charter schools, and the ED wants to make sure that the money–taxpayer money–is being protected in the manner it should be. I always knew that, and have always felt that way. Today reemphasized that reality for me, and the important role that we, as the California Department of Education (CDE), have.

I attended a financial planning workshop today, and learned more about pre-tax retirement income vs. post-tax retirement income. Since there is general agreement that taxes are going to rise in the future, I did not think there was any reason to keep contributing to a tax-deferred type of account. However, the reason is one that is common to everyone thinking about financial planning: diversification.

It is time for me to scrutinize my accounts using this newfound revelation.

I have had one of those weeks. A week where each day, it felt like I had made no progress, that no matter what I did, it was wrong.

Yet, at the end of the week, when I looked at where I was in completing a project, I had actually gotten through 98% of it. I was almost done, even if I had not noticed the small steps I had made to reach my goal. Every long journey begins with a single step. In time, taking one step at a time, that journey can be completed.

Every morning I wake up, I check on my lola, aware of the possibility that she took her last breath some time during the night. To my great relief, this inevitability has not been realized.

However, the same anxious feelings emerge when I get a phone call coming from the house, or from my cousin. I answer the phone, hoping that it the message coming from the individual on the other end is not a message that lola fell or had to be rushed to the hospital.

Fortunately, I seem to have been present whenever my lola has needed to go to the hospital. As a person that took care of my mother when she was in hospice, it is a familiar–although unwelcome–positon. Every past experience, however, prepares a person for the future.

Regardless of the preparation, I feel guilty after I have not interacted with my lola, even if only after a short time. When I go to work, hang out with friends, perform some community service, I end up going home in an apologetic state. I even get this feeling after I have been on my computer and not interacting with lola.

This is apparently normal among individuals that are the primary caretakers of aging loved ones. Knowing this does not make the situation any better for me.

In time this feeling shall pass. Until then, I focus on my intentions and hope that they lead me in the appropriate direction.

On May 6, 1942, Corregidor–the last stronghold of Allied forces in the Philippines during World War II–fell to Japanese forces. The prisoners of war were marched through Manila and incarcerated at Fort Santiago and Bilibid Prison. Thousands were shipped to Japan for slave labor.

Prior to the surrender, Allied forces held off the Japanese forces long enough to hamper the Japan plan to take over Australia and the Pacific and reassemble enough forces in New Guinea and turn the war around. It is important to recognize that soldiers of all ethnicities were involved in this effort.

The documentary, Little Manila: Filipinos in California’s Heartland, will be shown again on KVIE, the Sacramento-area Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) station. It has become an annual part of the their programming during May, when the station celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The documentary features several Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) members and was produced by a Filipina American filmmaker from the San Francisco bay area. One can learn more about the documentary on the Viewfinder Web site at http://www.kvie.org/programs/kvie/viewfinder/little_manila/default.htm. It will show at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

If it does not air in your area, the documentary is available for purchase from the KVIE Web site at http://www.kviestore.org/dvvilima.html.

I attended the Heroes of Hope Dinner, the My Sister’s House 2009 Appreciation Dinner, where the My Sister’s House organization celebrated the eighth anniversary of the establishment of My Sister’s House and the everyday heroes that have helped make its work possible.

It was inspiring to see the number of people that support the organization, which serves the need of Asan and Pacific Islander women and children ipacted by domestic violence. They do this by providing a culturally appropriate and responsive safe haven and community services. I saw so many people that, while I did not expect to see them there, I also was not suprised to see.

They are people that lead, no matter what circle they belong to. In this venue, on this evening, their circles overlapped, and they were working together to advocate for this one single cause. The energy was amazing, and the unity inspiring.

For example, Fred Teichert, of Teichert Construction, was honored as Business Hero. Teichert Construction also provided to me a scholarship that helped offset costs at the University of California, Davis.

Kiyomi Burchill, Sacramento County Young Democrats President, a young and empowered individual that also serves as an advisory board member of My Sister’s House. She is impressive and eloquent. Melanie Ramos, a young and empowered Pinay that is a fireplug of energy was also representing.

Perla Ramos, my former coworker, and current entrepreneur and philanthropist was also present.

Government officials and law enforcement representatives walked amongst the crowd, advocating for partnership between the community and law enforcement.

Organizations included Asian Resources, whose staff I have seen at several events in recent weeks and the Lions Clubs International (LCI) District 4-C5 contingent of forty. The LCI does community service in a variety of areas.

I saw silent auction items donated by several businesses and organizations that I have seen support the community countless times.

All of these individuals were housed in the Sacramento Masonic Temple, which in and of itself possesses such history and meaning.

They are all examples of great leaders that inspire our community. It was an honor to be among them.

Strangers are more alike than different. It can be amazing and uplifting to open to this possibility through the simple act of mindful attention to others.

When one takes the time to listen to another’s story, to stop worrying about themselves for a little while, they can learn so much. Then, at some point in the conversation, they will find themselves being able to relate. Combined with the understanding of new concepts and ideas, one grows in perspective and wisdom.

The hardest part of this situation is giving up that time. While it is simple to do, it is simple not to do. It must be a deliberate decision to pay attention to someone else.