Introducing our First Guest Blogger: Leang Chaing, DC ’10

Re: Bone Marrow Drive-Coming to you soon!
I’d like to say what an important cause this is. They match bone marrow more specifically by background (and blood type) compared to blood donations. They need to make sure the tissue matches as closely as possible so the body doesn’t reject the donation. Since a majority of the people on the registry are Caucasian, there’s a huge discrepancy for “minority” donors. Being on the registry isn’t a forced contract to donate–many people go their entire lives without ever being called to donate. Even if you are a potential match, there are more tests to check compatibility and if you want you can opt out of them if the chance arises.

And if you do get called and decide to donate, the procedure used most of the time (called Apheresis) is pretty painless (the common perception of a painful extraction is used as a last resort with localized anesthesia so it actually doesn’t hurt).

As a bone marrow donor you have the chance to save a real life. I hope that you will 1) register to be one during these drives and 2) help volunteer [email vi.nguyen@yale.edu your name & phone number] I’m ready to help out Vi

If you guys have any additional questions about the process feel free to email or call.

Hope your breaks are fantastically lazy.
Leang

leang.chaing@yale.edu

PS–the NMDP doesn’t discriminate like the Red Cross. But that’s another issue…

Breaking Old Campus

By Mary Zou

They downrock, they toprock, and it has nothing to do with your pet rock named Chester. Breakdancing is a subculture that began in Manhattan and the Bronx in the early 1970’s among the youth culture as a form of artistic expression. And a few Asian American superstars at Yale are giving the street dance a much anticipated revival on campus.

Daniel Ni performing an "air chair."

John Pyun and Daniel Ni are two freshmen who are members of the newly reformed breakdance troupe on campus known as FXC (short for Freestyles eXpressions Crew). The dance troupe disbanded a few years ago, but Adrian Latortue—you might recognize him as the 2008 AASA co-moderator, can we say powerhouse—reformed the troupe this past year with the help of a few dedicated b-boys and b-girls.

“B-boy is short of beat boy, which is a boy breakdancer. B-girl would be the term for a female,” explained Pyun. “We currently have 15 members apart of FXC, and 8 incredibly dedicated members.”

Pyun has been breaking since his sophomore year in high school. (Luckily, despite the connotations of “breaking,” he has not reported any major injuries.) Ni was trained in hip-hop dance throughout high school, but upon being introduced to Pyun through a mutual friend, dropped his “popper” status and is now very much a B-Boy—although the two dance styles can often overlap.

So what does being Asian American have to do with an urban dance movement that was started primarily by urban African American and Puerto Rican youths who used the artistic expression to rebel against The Man? Pyun explains that although the free styling began in urban American, “Asians dominate in the B-Boy world. [More specifically] it’s Koreans, South Koreans.” In fact, on the international breakdancing circuit, South Korea has taken home the trophy three times in the past four years.

John Pyun performing a "hollowback" on forearms.

Next question: what does it take to be a B-Boy or B-Girl at FXC or anywhere? It’s nothing special says Pyun and Ni. Pyun replies that the two main ingredients for a great B-boy are “dedication and passion.” Ni answers that people cannot be scared to try new things—such as one armed handstands or flips—because “anything is POSSIBLE!” The two encourage any people who are interested in breaking to attend a Friday practice (4-6 PM at Broadway Rehearsal Loft) or Saturday practice (4-6 PM at Payne Whitney Gym 5^th Floor). Rehearsals are open to anyone who want to show off their moves or interested in breakdance.

For those are who aren’t quite ready to take up the “anything is possible” mantra of breakdancing should check out FXC’s upcoming performances this spring at the CASA and KASY cultural shows as well as during Bulldog Days. Peace out, homes.

The Beast, Anthony Hsu [mr.rubix at Yale]

Here’s freshman Anthony Hsu. Blindfolded. Solving a Rubix cube. In 4 seconds. He lives in Lawrence A-12, if you ever want to bow down to him. Here’s to Yale!