Weekend Plans

So this weekend is the annual soccer tournament held by the Lao Family Center in St. Paul.  This event draws over 30,000 hmong people to the city.  I also know that a number of families come from all over the country to gather, including California, North Carolina, Kansas, as well as Wisconsin also.  I did not attend the event last year, which makes me excited this year to go.

One thing I never really understood is that all these hmong celebration is still kinda bases on american hoilidays and that always makes me kinda mad.  Do we not have any hoildays?  or what?  I don't.  I am just complaining, I do not have a solution.  :)

Anyways, I am looking forward to going.  It's usually a two to three day event depending on when the 4th is.  This year it is on a monday, but its still a two day event.  I bet it's bc there aren't a lot of money going around.  I guess that there was a lot of issues being resolved just a few weeks ago and it seemed like the event was not going to take place because of it, but it is a go now.

Since the event draws so much people, parking is always a hassle.  The event takes place over by McMurray field over by Como area.  Cars are parked where the state fair parking is usually at.  It's crazy because so many people are there.  There are cars lined every where.  Almost as bad at the State fair itself:)  The entrance fee is $2 i think, which is not a lot, but I have heard so many people complain about it.  I think its because asian people are so cheap.  Lol...we just don't want to pay for anything.  I think of other events, where you have to pay a lot more for it.  People need to stop complaining about it. 

Soccer is the main sport, but over time, there has been more sports added, such as Kato, which is more of an asian sport.  It's like playing bean bags, but with your feet.  here is a clip i found on youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp_NncIHOkE  I think people may see the hardness it takes to become a skilled player.  Flag football has gotten very popular.  My brother actually plays for a team.  Go SOLDIERS!  Good luck to them and all the sports team.  Placing would mean a cash prize and a trophy??  something like that.

My favorite part is of course the markets and food shops!  DUH!  In the surrounding areas of the fields are rows of shops full of clothes, music, movies, toys.  There is generators, people with mircophones, bands playing their loud music....This is the part I love and miss the most.  The heat is hot and crazy!  I don't usually spend a lot of money, but if I see anything I like, I usull would buy it.  In the past, I have gotten a few Korean dramas, and CDs.  I don't usually get clothes because, sometimes, the qaulity is not as good and because the clothes usually most likely does not fit me:)  This year, I think that I am going to keep on looking for movies and music. 

Also, another thing I love, are the food shops!  They are also a favorite of mine.  This is probably the only time, I love eating spicy food in the hot sun!  Eating papaya outdoors is so different than eating it indoors.  and most of the time, you are eating it by itself without rice, too.  That makes it even better.  Also, I am looking forward to eating mango slices with crushed pepper, that shit is good too!!!!  Yummy.  But I have to warn you, there are only port a johns so don't overdue it.  They are so not pretty when there are over 30,000 people there in the hot sun with everyone using them.  :)  All you hmong people know what I am talking about. 

I know i said it was a 2 day event but I am planning only to go tomorrow.  Today, I will focus on relaxing and helping my mom at her shop at Hmong Village.  and then go shopping.  I bought a pair of shoes from payless and a dress from sears for church.  they don't go together, but are super cute, esp my dress.  I have definitely discover my taste and preference:)!  Anyways, I will get going on my day and blog about everything later....Yeah for a 3 day weekend!

Love,
C

ps, goverment shutdown, you stink.  the state of MN needs to do a better job at time management.  just saying.