It’s a sad, sad day. Yao Ming announced today that he would be retiring. For those who don’t follow basketball, I’m sure you at least know the name Yao. He’s basically the most famous Asian (Chinese) basketball player to ever play in the NBA. There aren’t many to begin with, and that’s what made Yao so special. He wasn’t special just because he was basically the only one, he was special because he was actually HELLA good. He was the first Asian to be an allstar, 8 times. Unfortunately, due to injuries he just can’t recover from (his body is just too big for his body to handle), he had to retire.

Anyway, this isn’t a post about his stats. This is a post to say “thank you”. During his short career Yao represented more than a basketball player to millions, no wait, over a billion people. A representative for all Asians, and he did it so well. With his talents, and with his personality, he helped globalize the sport to the entire continent of Asia, and domestically he changed the game. I remember entering college, when I heard a Chinese guy was coming to the NBA, picked FIRST at the NBA draft, I was shocked and inspired. Seeing an Asian person on an NBA court was almost unbelievable. I remember being in elementary school, playing basketball and imagining what if I could go all the way to the NBA! haha. Thankfully Yao grew almost 3 ft more than me and did it for me, he did it for a lot of people.

Asian or not, Yao won over everyone. You couldn’t hate him, like a friendly giant, and everyone knew how big his heart was, not to mention how incredibly awesome he was as a center. He was known as the “Great Wall of Yao”. Watch the ESPN coverage HERE

Thank you Yao. For being a great player that made a lot of the world view Asians in a new way, for being a great person off the court, gracious, hard working, classy, humble. I will always be a fan and supporter!

1000 fans and supporters + Palace of Fine Arts + two FAT spotlights + artists = SUPER AWESOMELY SUCCESSFUL ISA CONCERT

1 GreenRoom Pass =  1 autographed poster = AP
AP x ~80 + 30min til doors open = sore hands

WF + Passion^awesome talent = possible collab in future?

(Tom Neezy + WF x awkward )  + much love/respect = FM’s intro

ISA – Far*East Movement = nothing

Jin^legendary + WF + on stage callout = future music video!!

Paul Dateh + FM + WF + FM street team + Hungry stomachs x 30 + after show + Mel’s Diner on Van Ness = post concert delicious meal

Todd Angkasuwan ^pro mv director + WF + Jin + FM + “Millionaire” + Green Scree / mamaD = new music video production

Day after ISA / (4C the Power + 5 workshops / 1 video production + 10 students + WF) = WF’s first “class”

WF + FM + Jin + Paul Dateh + Passion + (Tom + Jessi Malay)/hosts + (Della + Meme + Glenda)/dance + Linda + Jane + Diana + [(Soompi + AllKPop + AngryAsianMan + ChannelAPA + SlantEye + more) x awesome]/support + 1000 glow sticks + you reading + NG girl in front row = inspiring