Name: Yvonne Law
Year: 4th Year
Major: International Studies - History
Position: President

What do you do? I talk a lot during GBMs. No, just kidding! XD My primary role as president is providing leadership for MASA's staff and gluing all of us together into one cohesive unit. I also interpret MASA’s mission statement and help lead MASA in a positive direction through our events. And of course, providing all of our GBMers with a fun, relaxing place to be themselves.

Most MASAwesome experiences: Failing to see the sunrise at media workparties. Becoming delirious from lack of sleep in order to finish editing MASA videos when I was a media chair (not the delirious part - just the part where Albert and I took breaks and played Mario Kart 64... ;D). MoMASA snowboarding trips and orphan Thanksgiving (CAP COFFEE!). Having awesome littles.

Interests: Writing, playing piano, watching Asian dramas, collecting Yoshi dolls, playing video games, and playing sports. Especially tennis. Running and hiking, too. Eating. Sleeping. Daydreaming. Yoshi. Craft-of-the-moment. Jamming to music. NaNoWriMo (it's really not as insane as it sounds), blogging, and roleplaying. And of course, MASA! :)

Strangest Habit; I collect Yoshi plushies. But it's NOT a strange habit - it's perfectly normal! I'M NOT A CRAZY YOSHI FANATIC... wait, why are you backing away from me?! ;D

Aspirations; There's a lot that I want to do during my lifetime – travel all over the world, teach English abroad, teach some subject or other in the States, volunteering for Doctors Without Borders or the Peace Corps, living on the top floor of some urban high rise. But my dream of becoming a published writer is the oldest and most precious of them all. I have so many stories to tell: stories of adventures and people and worlds that exist so vividly in my mind, it’s hard to believe they don’t exist.

How has MASA helped you? More ways than I can say, and in more ways than I can express in words. I'm less unsure about taking leadership roles; I have become a more assertive person. My public speaking skills have improved a lot. I learned how to dance; I learned how to edit videos and make websites. I'm less shy, and I've learned that I love talking with and helping people. MASA has affected me in a lot of small ways, that have changed me as a person. MASA has given me (and continues to give me!) an unforgettable experience, and because of this, I want to show everyone how amazing this not-just-a-student-org is.

Name: Kathleen “Starkeyshia” Chun-I Kwok
Year: 3rd year
Major: Ecology, Behavior and Evolution (Biology Department)
Position: Vice President

What do you do? Help out the President (Yvonne!) and other staff members! I also connect to MASA's Alumni. I bridge the gap between the people who helped shape MASA what into what it is today, and the people who will continue to create its future.

Most MASAwesome experience! There were many, but freshman year Grocery Run was pretty MASAwesome! First time eating Dim Sum without parents, first time at Zion, first time at Daiso! Tiny chairs!!! Christened Starkeyshia by Lawrence! Cause I’m ¼ African!

Interests: MASA, Jae, saving the planet, food! Cooking & eating, strange facts, Engrish

Strangest Habit: Checking in my closet before I go to sleep, behind the shower curtain before I use the bathroom, etc. Just in case of creepers or creepier things.

Aspirations: PhD in some kind of Ecology, probably work as a professor, get rich enough to buy a nice house by the beach, help stop global warming so my house is not swallowed by the waves, donate money to those in need, successfully open an Asian dessert/bakery/café, come back to see Fusion XX, be at peace with my clothes, adopt children and live to see them successful.

If MASA was a food, what would it be and why? A FAMILY POTLUCK! Not really “a” food, but everyone brings something to the table and there is something for each person to enjoy! It’s delicious, and it makes you really, really full... Of love!

Name: Albert Wang
Year: 3rd Year, Class of 2011
Major: Biochemistry: Cell Biology
Position: Admin

What do you do? Control where you go! (for GBM’s and on campus events) XD… and take notes.

Most MASAwesome experience: Game night of freshman year. Oh, and all the Mystery Buses =]

Interests: Food, sleep, tennis, gaming, EXPLORING

Most embarrassing moment in college: the time when I unknowingly ate not only one, but two pot “cookies”… and said they were delicious. And then went to Warren Advising after. And tried to go to dinner with friends. Key word – tried.

Pet Peeves: inconsiderate flakers.

Aspirations: (what you want to accomplish in life) well, secure career. But with that – explore and experience =]

Name: Masashi Omori
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Declared biochem, but changing into something in the math department (applied math or mathematics in scientific computation)
Position: Community Service Chair

What do you do? Make community service events to try and help out organizations outside of UCSD. I’m going to try to talk to other UCSD organizations to host community service events together!

Most MASAwesome experience: So many…fusion, mystery bus, SDAFF events, waking up at 5AM to make spam musubi!

Interests: Tennis, Asian drinks that aren’t soda, Asian food that’s not too spicy, being physically active

Most embarrassing moment in college: My friends and I were playing pool at the game room in PC and I fell between the wall and an adjacent game machine which gave me this huge red bump on my forehead ._.

Strangest habit: Can’t drink soda because the fizz hurts…is this a habit?

Aspirations: For now, I want to decide on a major and stick with it. I've been narrowing it down considerably recently and hopefully I’ll find a major soon :D I don’t know about my long term goals yet…I want to work in Japan but I also don’t want to leave here and hopefully play tennis all my life XP

Name: Lawrence Lau
Year: 4th Year
Major: Physiology and Neuroscience
Position: Cultural Ranger

What do you do? Explore the not well known aspects of Asian culture and people

Most MASAwesome experience: Stuffing 10 people into a car and then failing to pile out like clowns

Interests: Eating, Sleeping, Taking breaks, Watching clouds, Listening to stories, Walking

Strangest habit: I fall asleep in class. A lot. And out of class as well. I’m probably asleep right now.

If MASA was a food, what would it be and why? An MRE (Meals Ready to Eat), which is a ration pack given to soldiers. Just add water, and you have a meal. Likewise, with MASA, you don’t have to add much to have a good time.

If a GBM-er asked you why they should join MASA, what would you say to them? MASA is a place to be yourself, without anyone to judge. Put away your conceptions of how people are supposed to act, feel, and be, and just go and have the sort of fun you want to have.

Name: Willis Phu
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Economics, but thinking of double-majoring
Position: Cultural Ranger

What do you do? Investigating and spreading knowledge about the depths of Asian culture

Most MASAwesome experience: Mystery bus?!?!? We were captured and whisked away to *** where everyone was *** , but it was fun 'cause we got to see ***. Afterwards, we went to ***, but the cops came and *** but it was okay in the end after we explained what was going on. After *** hours, we went to *** and saw ***. That was a fun night. :)

Interests: Anime, tennis, reading (not so much anymore ={ ), MUSIC, vitamin water, etc.

Strangest habit: I have an odd tendency to make weird hand gestures or sometimes weird facial expressions. XD

Aspirations: I want to have a steady career and constantly do things that are philanthropic.

If a GBM-er asked you why they should join MASA, what would you say to them? I would tell them to try MASA because not only is MASA welcoming like a family, but MASA is an avenue to try new things. Honestly, MASA has been such a wonderful facilitator of enjoying culture and friendship, that it would be foolish to not join MASA.

Name: Nathan T Nguyen
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Human Biology
Position: Finance Chair

What do you do? I manage all the money for MASA from requesting funding from AS to allocating funds for events—basically, I manage the greens!

Most MASAwesome experience: So, it was my second year of college and first year in MASA. I was part of the event called “MASAssins.” Basically, people had to kill each other with name tags and only one person would be the winner. It was the 1st day of the two-week event and I was walking out of lab. I noticed that Philip was standing in front of my lab waiting for somebody. I had no idea that he was actually waiting to tag me out. I was having a bad day in lab so I didn’t care—I started to walk over to him. The next thing I know, I see my Big, Jackie, walking up from behind Philip and *smack!* she tags him out and he yells for being killed. Witnessing the whole thing, I didn’t think that Philip had me as his target. I walked up to give my Big a hug and before I knew it, she looked at the nametag she got from Philip, asked, “Oh really?” and then went and tagged me out immediately without even thinking that I was her precious Little! That was the best/worst moment of my MASAwesome experience and I’ll remember it forever!

Interests: I like to cook a lot—anything new is even better! I like to try new dishes every now and then when I have free time. I also like to sing—Korean yes! Tae Yang—I can sing his entire song “Only Look At Me” even with the fact that I can’t speak Korean at all and I’m not even Korean either! I also like to dance and it was through MASA/kunFUSION that made me admire dancing as more than just an art, but something I can do to get away from the stresses of life.

Strangest habit: Sometimes I go crazy and just start laughing hysterically or making weird noises/sounds—my friends always ask if I’m okay when I enter that mode—it’s like being sugar high without the actual sugar.

Aspirations: I hope one day to become a great doctor to really help those in need without worrying about the money aspect of the job—it would bring me greater joy to see an individual smile after caring for them rather than knowing how much I will benefit from the job financially. I also want to become a great cook just like my dad and mom—both whom have nourished my interest in cooking by helping me discover new dishes and assisting me in growing as a chef. I also want to become that great karaoke singer that always shines when it comes to music—I love to sing and although I know I’m bad at times, I’m still willing to become better!

How has MASA helped you? MASA has helped me grow in a way I never thought possible. In high school, I was really a shy person and never opened up myself to new friends or experiences that intrigued me. It was through MASA that I was able to open up more to friends and find that I can depend on people and trust them. MASA has made me become a better person and helped me further understand my personal characteristics. MASA has also helped me discover a new interest in dancing and it has helped me know what a family is like all year around since mine is all over the country.

Name: Kathy Fan
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Management Science, B.S.,
Position: FUSION Coordinator

What do you do? Make FUSION possible. With Vinson Ye. The other FUSION Coordinator. We do a whole bunch of behind the scenes work, it’s a mystery to everyone else hohoho. Basically we coordinate FUSION, make sure things get done, do the administrative things, attend and host lots and lots of meetings with professionals, admin, etc. We do a lot. A LOT. ALSO TO PUSH FORWARD THE MISSION STATEMENT: Bringing awareness to our new generation of Asian Americans in the Hip Hop community through the universal language of DANCE and MUSIC! Aside from that my job is to also make GBMers feel at HOME when they are with MASA! To make sure MASA is the best it can be, to push it to new heights, to help it grow into everything anyone has ever imagined it to be! So if you ever need anything just let me know (:

Most MASAwesome experience: Standing on stage at FUSION with Vivian Lin, Abe Chung, Justine Mercado, and all the dancers thinking, “This is what we have all accomplished together!”

That, and Hao running tearfully into my arms crying, “BIG!!!! I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!”

Interests: Drawing stuff, lots of stuff. Cows&Pineapples (go figure). Making dresses/designing dresses. Cosplay! Making accessories/designing accessories. Writing fiction/fantasy. Singing. SPORTS. Running around in a large grassy field on a sunny but breezy day with fluffy white nimbus clouds soaring overhead. MASAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Strangest habit: Feeling I have to share irrelevant factoids whenever they pop up in my head.

Aspirations: Have my own business. Have my own clothing line. Have my own poetry book. Have my own manga. Have my own Ocean-front home with sea cows grazing on the fenced off pasture next to the cliff. Having Twins! Having cocker spaniels. Getting to know God even better than I know him now.

How has MASA helped you? MASA has given me opportunity after opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills, soften my cynical teenage heart, and make everlasting friendships and memories.

Name: Vinson Ye
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Cognitive Science
Position: FUSION Coordinator

What do you do? Plan FUSION, duh!

Most MASAwesome experience: One day, back when Price Center East was still the kick-it spot even at late nights, we decided to stuff nine people into Chase’s car to go to Eric’s place to watch Hairspray while I studied for my math midterm. :[

Interests: Just simple fun and hanging out.

Most embarrassing moment in college: During fall quarter of my first year, I was longboarding down cognitive science building hill and I couldn’t stop so I had to hop off and watch my longboard fly into a girl’s ankle.

Strangest habit: Does hanging out in PC more than I do at home count?

Pet Peeves: Annoying people, rude people, inconsiderate people

Aspirations: Being happy while making enough to support myself and family.

How has MASA helped you? MASA has really helped me step out of my shell. I’ve become more comfortable meeting new people and just be myself. Also, MASA people nag me to go to class, so that’s also helpful. :]

If a GBM-er asked you why they should join MASA, what would you say to them? “It’s the one place where you could really be yourself and be accepted for it.”

Name: Jackie Doong
Year: 4th Year
Major: Cognitive Science, Human Computer Interaction Specialization
Position: Historian

What do you do? Take pictures during MASA events, capture the fun and fabulousness that is MASA. These are later compiled in a scrapbook, which shows everyone just how awesome MASA is :) I’m also in charge of the MASA blog and quilt.

Most MASAwesome experience: All of MASA is a MASAwesome experience :). but one event in particular: Lock-In! Imagine this: a whole bunch of MASA folks, locked in a house overnight. We play games, watch movies, go crazy with sleep deprivation (mostly Lawrence), bond. We emerge from the house in the morning, squinting and bleary-eyed, hungry for some delicious food at IHOP, knowing that we just spent an awesome night of EPICness together. :D Also: tagging my little Nathan out on the first day of playing MASAssins. That was MASAwesome. (just kidding Nathan, don’t hate me T_T)

Interests: Taking photos, dancing with kunFUSION, cooking random things, finding sales, doodling on everything, star gazing, appreciating life.

Aspirations: I eventually want to travel the world and take photos of everything I encounter :) There’s so much out there in the world - so much to see, so much to do, so much to experience - and I want to experience (and document) it all.

How has MASA helped you? Through MASA, I’ve met so many interesting people from all kinds of backgrounds; it has helped me create bonds of friendship that will (hopefully) last for a very long time. MASA opened me up to so many new experiences - like dancing, planning FUSION - that I never would have imagined myself doing.

If a GBM-er asked you why they should join MASA, what would you say to them? JUST DO IT.

Name: Philip Pan
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Environmental Engineering
Position: kunFUSION Head Coordinator

What do you do? As head coordinator, I head MASA's non-exclusive dance team. Among other duties, I organize practices, choreograph and teach dances and help put together a performance to represent MASA at our annual hiphop dance competition, FUSION.

Most MASAwesome experience: Performing on the FUSION stage in my freshman year.

Interests: Anime, video games, dancing, having fun, drinking a little, socializing, making friends, living life

Aspirations: I hope to graduate with a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering, go work in China, become a good dancer and save the world. :D

Name: Amy Kha
Year: 1st Year
Major: International Studies - Political Science
Position: Media Chair

What do you do? Update websites, make PowerPoints, edit videos…take care of the “tech-y” stuff :)

Most MASAwesome experience: Watching “The People I’ve Slept With” at SDAFF with 50-ish other GBMers and staff. It was a hilarious movie and taking pictures with Archie Kao afterwards was awesome :D

Interests: Music (Kpop, Cpop, Jpop, etc.), reading, watching dramas, hanging out with friends, sports (basketball, football, tennis), wushu, dance :)

Strangest habit: This may not be strange (depending on whether or not other people do it too 0.o)…but every time I like a song, I tend to constantly listen to it (though not repeatedly) until I get tired of it.

Aspirations: I am still thinking about it…but as of right now, I am leaning towards going into Law and International relations (focusing on the Asian countries). In the future, I hope to be able to help people through my career, whether it is through Law or not. However, all I need in life are family, friends and love.

If MASA was a food, what would it be and why? MASA would be a salad because it can be a mixture of various different items such as eggs, cheese, chicken, tomatoes, etc. While every ingredient is different, they all bring something special and unique to the salad. Thus, once it all comes together, the salad becomes a very delicious concoction. :) (Plus…I love salads…could totally have it every day if I had to xD)

Name: Jennifer Amy Tran
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Human Development
Position: Media Chair

What do you do? I mostly work with video editing and stuff with photoshop plus the occassional powerpoint presentation. Amy is the online coding genius. I am always on my computer doing stuff on Photoshop or Premiere Pro.

Most MASAwesome experience: My most MASAwesome experience would have to be... Being on MASA staff. There are just some things that you get to experience when you're on staff that you might not be able to experience just as a GBMer and I'm incredibly thankful that I have been able to have this opportunity to take part in it. I feel like I have grown so much as a person whether it be learning how to use photoshop and premiere pro better to just being a better person and a better friend.

Interests: I like to listen to all types of music especially rock and recently, since I've arrived at UCSD, kpop. I LOVE playing tennis and board games. I'm freakishly good at Disney SceneIt too, my friends can vouch for me. I love hanging out with my friends and just doing random stuff with them. I also like playing around with computers.

Strangest Habit: I think I'm strange in general... and I am somewhat OCD. I do not like to get my feet dirty, like literally. I make weird sounds and sound effects. When I'm sleep deprived, that's one I am at the peak of my weirdness. It's definitely a fun time to be around me.

If MASA was a food, what would it be and why? I would say that MASA would be my momma's cooking because sometimes... it is exactly what I need to go through the day. My momma can cook so many different dishes but everytime it's a little bit different because my mom doesn't follow recipes measurement by measurement, she'll put anything together and it'll still taste goood!! ^__^ The people in MASA are some of the greatest people in the world, and nearly all my best and most memorable times in college has always been surrounded by people in MASA. =)

How has MASA helped you? MASA has helped me come out of my shell especially by being on staff. When I first came to UCSD, I was timid and shy. Coming here, I felt like a small fish in a big ocean but MASA really helped me find a place in this huge campus. I am much more open and outspoken now. I have definitely gone out of my comfort zone. It's also made me manage my time better and that's always nice.

Name: Vinson Chen
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Chemical Engineering
Position: Membership Chair

What do you do? Manage Sidekicks, GBM, icebreakers, weekly newsletter, and prettymuch everything else that deals with people in MASA.

Most MASAwesome experience: Anything FUN, dota, any sorta video games, sports (non-competitive people play too rough), eating, sleeping, hanging out, driving, games, shopping, making random art, drawing, reading random facts online, random news, cheap stuff, being creative, i can go all day, swimming, beach, omg can't stop.

Interests: Must be Mystery Bus 2008 SOOO GOOD!

Most embarrassing moment in college: Snored so loud in class that everyone laughed LOL

Strangest habit: Does not live at home

Pet Peeves: Annoying people, rude people, inconsiderate people, stupid people, ignorant people, fake people, liars, thieves, drama queens, attention whores, and people who don't think before they act.

Aspirations: Have fun, be happy and have no regrets

If MASA was a food, what would it be and why? It'll be all you can eat everything because I'll never have enough of it and it'll be endless.

How has MASA helped you? Helped me find a home in UCSD

If a GBM-er asked you why they should join MASA, what would you say to them? "Because You're Already In!" LOL “It's a place where you can call home and feel like it's home.”

Name: Mary "Bottomless Pit" Chiu
Year: 3rd Year
Major: International Studies - Linguistics
Position: Membership Chair

What do you do? Attend and welcome guests at social functions; Game developer. Just kidding! We’re the ones welcoming people and handing out nametags at GBMs, coming up with Icebreakers, and working on our Sidekick Program all year long! Membership chairs are the faces of MASA :)

Most MASAwesome experience: I’ve actually done this twice—pretended to be a car (with everyone assigned a “seat” in our imaginary car) with several other MASA peeps and tried to buy food from Wendy’s through their late-night Drive-Thru. Needless to say, it didn’t work both times, but it was still hilarious!

Interests: Food (all-you-can-eat please), graphic-editing, tennis, hanging out with friends, beaching it, karaoke, and doing something spontaneous. Oh yeah! And I like to do da dansing with kF!

Aspirations: I have a list of things I want to achieve in my lifetime, but in no particular order. Currently it’s still a bit blurry as to what I want to do as a career, but ultimately I would LOVE to travel the world, meet interesting people, and hopefully inspire others, especially children.

How has MASA helped you? has made feel a lot comfortable about myself. I used to be rather self-conscious about how I look and act, but everyone is so accepting that I can be myself when I’m around people. :) I’m also a lot more comfortable with meeting new people now!

If a GBM-er asked you why they should join MASA, what would you say to them? Just try it out. Words simply cannot describe the feeling you get when you’re with MASA. You’ll soon understand why there are so many GBMers that consistently come out to our events, why our staff is so dedicated (even though it takes a lot of our time), and why a multitude of alumni still keep in touch with us and miss MASA so much. We’re a welcoming bunch and you’re already a part of our family (:

Name: Monica Izumi Marume
Year: 3rd Year
Major: Human Development / Japanese Studies
Position: Public Relations

What do you do? Communicate with other organizations as a representative of MASA

Most MASAwesome experience: Food Events!!! I Love Food :)

Interests: Eating, Sleeping, hanging out with friends, dancing, Jpop, Kpop, dramas, mangas, drawing, shopping!

Most embarrassing moment in college: I get lost in school. A lot. Even now.

Strangest habit: I can fall asleep anywhere/ anytime.

If MASA was a food, what would it be and why? is like a stir-fry (I miss Summit stir-fry :() because it is mixed with lots and lots of different ingredients. The taste is different every time you make it since there are a variety of different sauces as well. But overall, it would all end up really tasty and MASA is just like that. Everybody is unique and different, but we are always one, big family :)

Name: Suzy Kim
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Computer Science / Japanese Studies
Position: Publicity Chair

What do you do? I make posters, basically any form of posters for masa!!! Hao and I work together to get MASA’s name out in school. :]

Most MASAwesome experience: Performing for fusion!! It was the biggest adrenalin rush in my life. Also, preparing for fusion was awesome. It was a huge project, and I am so glad and proud of being a part of fusion.

Interests: Music, drawing, sleeping, and video games :]

Pet Peeves: UNFINISHED PROGRAMMING ASSIGNMENT

If MASA was a food, what would it be and why? It will be gyudon, becaue it’s my favorite food and it’s sexy and delicious.. just like MASA!!

How has MASA helped you? MASA made me realize how precious friendships are. No matter who I am, MASA won’t judge me and accept me with a warm smile. MASA families also helped me cope through the hardest times of college, because they are always there for you! :D

Name: Hao Wang
Year: 2nd Year
Major: Management Science
Position: Publicity Chair

What do you do? I extend MASA’s presence to as many people as possible through weekly flyers, updated calendars, and event posters.

Most MASAwesome experience: MASA offered me chances to do things I have never done. The most memorable event has to be Mystery Bus. I can’t tell you anything about it, but just know, it really is an experience you will never forget, especially if you get mistaken for a girl...

Interests: Art/Design, Movies, Exercise (Gym/Biking/Swimming)

Strangest habit: I like to count to 3. Go figure.

Aspirations: I want to become emperor of China and initiate the reign of the Wang Dynasty, complete with my very own harem and Walmart. If that does not work out, I want to join the marketing committee of a gaming company. Recession’s got nothing on me.

How has MASA helped you? MASA offered me the skills and confidence needed to be in a leadership positions. There is much to learn both from the organization and other leaders. MASA also allowed me to realize who I am: I’m Hao Wang.