Page Title
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)
Losses and gains
In our lives, there will always be losses and gains, big and small. Some are even
life-changing that may cause major decisions which could either be good or bad, depending
on outcomes. But just the same, such a change is triggered by a loss or a gain that is
significant enough to move us. What is important is to make the best of the now and consider
it a gain anyway.
I lost my father when I was 11 years old. He didn't die but he left our family for another woman.
Since then, my mother had to bring up five children single-handedly. Being the oldest, I had to
grow up fast. Poverty and its ugly head became normal as it is in most families like us. We
struggled and fought for our lives. I lost my father, but I gained the strength to move forward
and reach for the stars. I worked extremely hard and lost my youth in the process, but I gained
an education that helped me take the first step toward a successful career.
I lost my mother when she went away to work for her children. I didn't see her for 19 long
years, but I gained the privilege to join her (and my four siblings) in her new world, the United
States of America, the land of dreams. I lost her completely when she passed on eight years
ago; but I gained the wonderful memories she left behind and the gift of music from her
genes.
It's not only in the personal realm that I experienced painful losses. I've had my share of losing a job that I love most.
But I bounced back and gained another that allowed me to be my own boss. Asian Wisconzine magazine challenged
all my abilities and knowledge in journalism and computer use. It actually made me a better writer, editor, organizer,
and of course, a better person. I have met a lot of diverse people that I wouldn't have met in my lifetime had I remained
a salaried employee confined to a four-corner office room. It has been a great journey and I hope to continue doing so
for many more years.
I gained some good friends in Madison, Wisconsin, and it's something that I would cherish for the rest of my life.
People say that true friendship is hard to come by. Yet I found it there. I found a few people who really share my vision
for a community free from prejudices. They helped me find a voice for my people, Asians in America, who'd rather keep
quiet than stir the mainstream flow of things. I'd like to believe that our magazine, in a very small but significant way,
made it happen. I also found my soul mate and best friend in Madison, who's always there for me when I needed a
friend most. Without a family in Madison, I would have been lost in a community that isn't as diverse and liberal as all
thought it was.
On a larger scale, as a Wisconsinite, I lost some faith in our state government. When my own government decided to
kill unionism among state employees in order to cut spending, the burden fell on the little people. They can no longer
But I bounced back and gained another that allowed me to be my own boss. Asian Wisconzine magazine challenged
all my abilities and knowledge in journalism and computer use. It actually made me a better writer, editor, organizer,
and of course, a better person. I have met a lot of diverse people that I wouldn't have met in my lifetime had I remained
a salaried employee confined to a four-corner office room. It has been a great journey and I hope to continue doing so
for many more years.
I gained some good friends in Madison, Wisconsin, and it's something that I would cherish for the rest of my life.
People say that true friendship is hard to come by. Yet I found it there. I found a few people who really share my vision
for a community free from prejudices. They helped me find a voice for my people, Asians in America, who'd rather keep
quiet than stir the mainstream flow of things. I'd like to believe that our magazine, in a very small but significant way,
made it happen. I also found my soul mate and best friend in Madison, who's always there for me when I needed a
friend most. Without a family in Madison, I would have been lost in a community that isn't as diverse and liberal as all
thought it was.
On a larger scale, as a Wisconsinite, I lost some faith in our state government. When my own government decided to
kill unionism among state employees in order to cut spending, the burden fell on the little people. They can no longer
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bargain collectively for benefits they used
to receive. They would have to pay more
for their pension programs and health
care. Less money would be shared by
schools and nonprofits involved in
after-school programs. I wonder what
quality of education Wisconsin would have
with less financial support. Less money
would be available for services to the poor
-- sometimes the only lifeline of these less
fortunate brethren of ours. The poor will be
poorer; and the rich, richer, considering
the big tax breaks our legislators give
them. And, with the new redistricting of the
state of Wisconsin, who do you think will
benefit politically from it?
But I gained faith in the masses of
Wisconsinites continuing their non-violent
fight against the present power since early
this year. They are relentless in their effort
to show the world they care for justice and
freedom. Their marches and
demonstrations have attracted national
figures like the Rev. Jesse Jackson. They
have put Wisconsin on the world map of
freedom seekers and voices for justice.
I am proud to be a Wisconsinite and proud
to join these voices.
to receive. They would have to pay more
for their pension programs and health
care. Less money would be shared by
schools and nonprofits involved in
after-school programs. I wonder what
quality of education Wisconsin would have
with less financial support. Less money
would be available for services to the poor
-- sometimes the only lifeline of these less
fortunate brethren of ours. The poor will be
poorer; and the rich, richer, considering
the big tax breaks our legislators give
them. And, with the new redistricting of the
state of Wisconsin, who do you think will
benefit politically from it?
But I gained faith in the masses of
Wisconsinites continuing their non-violent
fight against the present power since early
this year. They are relentless in their effort
to show the world they care for justice and
freedom. Their marches and
demonstrations have attracted national
figures like the Rev. Jesse Jackson. They
have put Wisconsin on the world map of
freedom seekers and voices for justice.
I am proud to be a Wisconsinite and proud
to join these voices.