Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
| Thanksgiving? |
2008 is particularly a very harsh year for many Americans. When the U.S. economy collapsed, it
hit the small people the hardest. There are thousands of "How" questions whose answers are not in
sight any time soon. How can a head of a family with children to feed, clothe, and send to school
remain sane if he has lost his job? How can families that thought a few years ago that they had at
last achieved their American Dream of owning a home be happy nowadays if their homes had been
foreclosed? How can the elderly survive if they can't afford to buy their prescription drugs? How can
the uninsured survive long without any health insurance coverage? How can small business survive
when credits are tight and customers don't have money to spend?
Our economic problems seem endless, and their effects on other aspects of living threaten
people's mental/physical health and relationships; as well as society's peace and order. In our city,
there is an increase in thievery, often in cars parked on the streets. Small time. But there are many
instances of bigger jobs in large urban centers. There is an erosion of values that usually comes in
tandem with misery and hopelessness. And people are scared. It's no longer terrorism that scares
people the most; it's more basic, too heartfelt. It's the fear of an uncertain future due to the present.
I myself has thought about closing shop, leaving Wisconsin, and starting over some place else. But
when I got my senses back, the question pops up, "Do you really think it's going to be any different
any place in the world?"
Yeah, the global recession is upon us, and the only way out is to conserve what's left of our sanity
and move on, perhaps in a more assertive manner, or in a more collaborative manner, or in a more
creative manner, or a combination of them all.
Despite the difficulties we Americans face nowadays, we should keep the faith that tomorrow will
be a better day. I have lots of things to be thankful for, despite the downturns and personal fears. I'm
thankful for having a special and best friend in Jon Gramling who is there for me all these years, in
good and bad times. The truth is, I have never met anyone with such a genuine love for others and
service to the community. I am thankful to God for Asian Wisconzine — my "4-year old baby" — that
reflects my desire to serve the Asian American community in my state; my friends and writers who
fill the pages to give me a little more time to sleep; and AW advertisers who come to the rescue so I
can print our magazine. I am truly thankful for having a family who supports me dearly — who cries
when I'm down and who celebrates when I'm up, I thank God for all the blessings of good health
and wonderful grandchildren.
I realize I have more to be thankful for than to be scared and feel down. Money is not everything
(but having enough to survive and help others in need is always welcome!)
hit the small people the hardest. There are thousands of "How" questions whose answers are not in
sight any time soon. How can a head of a family with children to feed, clothe, and send to school
remain sane if he has lost his job? How can families that thought a few years ago that they had at
last achieved their American Dream of owning a home be happy nowadays if their homes had been
foreclosed? How can the elderly survive if they can't afford to buy their prescription drugs? How can
the uninsured survive long without any health insurance coverage? How can small business survive
when credits are tight and customers don't have money to spend?
Our economic problems seem endless, and their effects on other aspects of living threaten
people's mental/physical health and relationships; as well as society's peace and order. In our city,
there is an increase in thievery, often in cars parked on the streets. Small time. But there are many
instances of bigger jobs in large urban centers. There is an erosion of values that usually comes in
tandem with misery and hopelessness. And people are scared. It's no longer terrorism that scares
people the most; it's more basic, too heartfelt. It's the fear of an uncertain future due to the present.
I myself has thought about closing shop, leaving Wisconsin, and starting over some place else. But
when I got my senses back, the question pops up, "Do you really think it's going to be any different
any place in the world?"
Yeah, the global recession is upon us, and the only way out is to conserve what's left of our sanity
and move on, perhaps in a more assertive manner, or in a more collaborative manner, or in a more
creative manner, or a combination of them all.
Despite the difficulties we Americans face nowadays, we should keep the faith that tomorrow will
be a better day. I have lots of things to be thankful for, despite the downturns and personal fears. I'm
thankful for having a special and best friend in Jon Gramling who is there for me all these years, in
good and bad times. The truth is, I have never met anyone with such a genuine love for others and
service to the community. I am thankful to God for Asian Wisconzine — my "4-year old baby" — that
reflects my desire to serve the Asian American community in my state; my friends and writers who
fill the pages to give me a little more time to sleep; and AW advertisers who come to the rescue so I
can print our magazine. I am truly thankful for having a family who supports me dearly — who cries
when I'm down and who celebrates when I'm up, I thank God for all the blessings of good health
and wonderful grandchildren.
I realize I have more to be thankful for than to be scared and feel down. Money is not everything
(but having enough to survive and help others in need is always welcome!)