The Hmong New Year is once again here and we at Hmoodle want to wish you a safe and happy Hmong New Year. Not only is it Hmong New Year, but it also time to introduce our reader's to the most recent Hmoodle Girl, the very lovely Bao Lee.

She currently resides in the state of Wisconsin where she is attending college at UW-Stout. She is very outgoing which you will notice in this interview which is why I'm sure she makes a great bartender when tending bar at Paradox. Family oriented, career driven woman who is a beauty all wrapped up in one. Definitely another great addition to the Hmoodle Girl roster.

Hmoodle:     I'm here with the newest Hmoodle Girl Bao Lee. How are you?

Bao:   Hi, I'm doing great, although it snowed today and I already can't wait for winter to be over with. However, thank you for having me.

Hmoodle:   Its our pleasure. Why don't you tell our readers about yourself?

Bao:   Well, My name is Bao Lee I just turned twenty-one years old on November 4th and that was an experience of a lifetime. I have a big family, but I'm sure not surprising to the Hmong community. I have four brothers and three sisters. Of the four brothers two went to college and one of my brothers is in his masters program right now and just one of my sisters is in college too for nursing and she's almost done I'm so proud of her. I am a very open, outgoing, active, and always ready to learn and do new things. My motto in life is it's too darn short to sit around and mope and dream. If you want something go after it; now that's really living. Other than that I'm just waiting to graduate and go on to my masters program as well.

Hmoodle:   Sounds like you are a real go getter and that bodes well for you. Was this your first photo shoot?

Bao:   No, I've done some before but it's just for fun not like promotional like this or "modeling" type.

Hmoodle:   Well you definitely did a great job. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor shoots?

Bao:   I like both because outdoor has the natural lighting and background is really natural and just nice. As for indoor, I like the lighting how clear it can make a person look and less editing. Honestly, I don't really have a preference because each of them has their advantages and disadvantages.

Hmoodle:   Have you ever thought about going into the model industry?

Bao:   I have but I'm way to short, maybe commercial modeling I don't know it's a competitive world out there especially modeling. I'll do it for fun, but maybe not as a career.

Hmoodle:   I know you are currently in school. Why don't you tell us more about that.

Bao:  I am attending UW Stout and currently in the Vocational Rehabilitation program with a concentration in substance abuse counseling. I've transferred three times since I've been in school. This is my fourth year in college. I am in the process of being admitted into the McNair Scholar program where they help guide you to go to grad school for your PHD. This is a really good program for first generation students who would like to pursue a higher degree like PHD. They help pay for your grad school visits, because those can be quite pricey too. Therefore, I encourage everyone to seek out this program at your campus, it's a really good program.

Hmoodle:   I think that's a really great career choice. What made you decide to get into that?

Bao:   I always knew I wanted to help guide people in life, but I could never pin point what the exact major is, hence, the transferring of colleges. However, I read the description about the Voc Rehab program, and it really fit what I want to do. Voc rehab has so many concentrations you can go into from working with people who have disabilities to helping people with behavioral issues to counseling addicts. The list goes on, however, I chose substance abuse counseling because I feel that's a subject that people don't really focus on and notice that it's big issue. I've always liked listening and helping the people around me with their problems and I'm a very caring person as well as true believer that everyone deserves a second chance. Therefore, being a substance abuse counselor I can help people get back on the right track.

Hmoodle:   I'm sure you will make a great counselor. What other activities interest you?

Bao:   I play soccer for the Hmong women's tournaments during the summer. My team is from Wausau and we are called Unlimited. We've taken second place at July 4th about three summers ago; we also have been taking first at the memorial and Labor Day tournament at Oshkosh the past three years as well. I am so passionate about soccer and I just love the game and the intensity of it. Soccer has taught me a lot about myself such as enhancing my leadership skills, sportsmanship and just networking in general with other teams as well. I like to read on my free time and a random fact about me is I like to look up random health facts or disease just to keep myself aware. I am also a huge movie and TV show junkie, if I can get pay to watch that all day I would. Other than that I am pretty much down for anything.

Hmoodle:   What is your typical Friday and Saturday night?

Bao:   I bartend at Paradox whenever I come back home which so far is almost every weekend. Other than bartending I spend time with my family and friends and just catching up with everyone. When I am at college I just do my homework, sometimes go out with friends, or just watch movies.

Hmoodle:   What's the best way for guy to approach you?

Bao:   I think the best way for a guy to approach me is to be himself and not try to impress me. I'm a down to earth girl and I like it real, I am most impressed with open and honest people. Also, conversation is a very crucial part when meeting new people for me. I need to be able to engage in conversation with someone. I am all about staying real and true to oneself.

Hmoodle:   What do you look for in a guy?

Bao:   What I look for in a guy is at least have a sense of direction in his life, independent, funny, open, patient, family orientated, understanding, and will not be intimidated by my success or accomplishments. I am looking for an equal partnership not someone who controls me, or thinks he's superior over me because he's the guy. I love laughing and hearing jokes, so I need someone who have a big sense of humor and be able to make me laugh. If you can make me laugh you've already got my attention. I also like a guy who takes charge at making plans, I mean if he's into me he needs to take charge and show me and vice versa. I am a big believer in "actions speak louder than words".

Hmoodle:   How important is family to you?

Bao:   Family is very important to me it's the foundation of who I am. Family will always be there and they will always support and love you for who you are. I am very close with my whole family and I love that because it makes me feel so safe and because of their undying support I feel like I can do anything and be anything.

Hmoodle:   Any thanks yous or shout-outs to our hmoodle viewers?

Bao:   I just want to say thank you for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to share a little of who I am with you all. Stay positive and never doubt yourself because impossible is just a word not a trait. Love and respect to everyone.

I would like to congratulate Bao on being selected as a Hmoodle Girl. I want to wish her the best of luck with her career goals and life aspirations. I don't see how she won't succeed as she seems to have a very good head on her shoulders

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