KOBO

Sorry I haven't posted in a long time. I've been busy with schoolwork. Today, I'm going to write about a special store.  Last summer, we were visiting Seattle and exploring Chinatown when we found KOBO, which is a small store in Seattle that features Japanese, Asian, and Northwest arts and crafts. We ended up spending two hours there looking at all the art work and curios. The store features many different types of artwork by different artists. The artwork they feature is amazing and cute. They sell a wide range of items such as books, posters, paintings, mugs, ceramics, t-shirts (THEY'RE SO CUTE I BOUGHT TWO!), spray painted...objects, and much more. A few of my favorite art pieces were by Enfu. However,  I loved all the other pieces as well. I'll post a few of them below.

We bought these silver spray painted baby durians. They're very cool and decorative. Maybe they are better spray-painted then eaten, because I hear that the inside is supposed to be  stinky.

The store inspired me to paint some artwork of my own. For me, the topic is food, of course,. Here are a few.

Pompano

tomato

Eggplant

Here's KOBO's information if you want to check out the store/artwork.
KOBO website: http://www.koboseattle.com/category/main.aspx?
KOBO Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/KOBO/61999622226
Enfu: http://enfu.com/

New Update! Bravo Canada's reality show WAY OFF BROADWAY with Jon Lee!

Episode 1 of Way Off Broadway Can't wait to check out the first episode of the new series "Way Off Broadway" on March 2 at 8:00 p.m. on Bravo!  Be sure to catch it.

Who says Asian students are just nerds?!!  Our uncle Jonathan Lee (to the right) who just graduated from Medical School to be a psychiatrist, (nerdy, yes. . .) will be featured in the brand new 13 episodes  Bravo reality show "Way Off Broadway" (way cool), undergoing intensive training for eight weeks to put on "The Wizard of Oz" to benefit charity.  In the press release, he is described as Jon Lee – psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto who does research in transcranial magnetic stimulation at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.  How awesomely nerdy is that!! Go Uncle Jonathan! Check out the link to information about Jon Lee on Bravo Canada's website. Jon Lee

Check out the newly released trailer for the show:

Singer Songwriter - Lijie

Lijie Yang

Hey guys, so if you’re looking for some good new music to listen to, boy do I have a treat for you.

Last year, I was mindlessly surfing Youtube for decent music when I stumbled upon a cover of Brandi Carlile’s “The Story” performed by Lijie Yang.  I started checking out the rest of her posts, and I was really impressed with her voice and beautiful songwriting abilities.  I checked out her website, read her great biography, and I was absolutely hooked.

My parents took us to Seattle for a short trip over summer vacation.  I’d read on Lijie’s website that she was having her CD release party in Seattle while we were there, but it was going to be held at a bar so I knew I couldn’t go.  Instead, my parents took us out to have dinner in celebration of my birthday.  After our meal, the most unexpected thing happened: Lijie walked into the restaurant, walked over to our table, and started talking to my mom like they’d met before.  Apparently, my mom had arranged for me to meet her, even though I couldn’t go to her CD party.  It was definitely a great experience—I got a signed copy of her album and the chance to meet one of my favorite musicians.

As someone who follows her dreams, Lijie is definitely a role model to me.  Check out her website here for free downloads of a couple of her songs: www.IamLijie.com. While you're at it, check out and buy her albums:The Music Maker, and Roam. Some of my favorite songs of hers are: I Left a Part of Me, Love's Melody, and Time from the Music Maker, Roam, Blue, and LA from the album Roam.

If Jeremy Lin can make it in the NBA . . .

I'm in the middle of my school midterms, which is why I haven't been thinking about blogging much. However, this last couple of weeks, a lot of news came out about Jeremy Lin, the Chinese American dude who graduated from Harvard, and now plays for the New York Knicks. My sister and I already follow Jeremy Lin and his funny Youtube videos with KevJumba and Nigahiga.

Last week, my dad keeps making me watch clips of Jeremy Lin playing point guard for the New York Knicks. I can't help but think that maybe there is athletic potential in all of us Asian kids after all.

I've been playing in an Asian League basketball team since 2nd grade.  We had a very lame name for our team: "The Shooting Angels".

Me in third grade with the Shooting Angels

When we were kids, we didn't mind so much, but in 6th grade, we started feeling a bit embarrassed by the name.  My teammates were saying that they don't want to wear our team shirts to go out because of the name.  So we finally changed our name to the Magic.  Still lame, but better.  Apparently, the Asian leagues have the funniest team names: the QD's, Below the Rim, Happy Shoyu, Hoops a Daisies, Hollywood Dragonettes, Mustang Rainbows, Kukui Nuts, and many more. It's kind of quaint and nice, as long as you don't have to wear those names on your shirts.

In the Asian league, we play over thirty games a year.  We play all over Los Angeles County, Orange County, and even in Las Vegas.  We are drilled on the fundamentals, and we develop great friendships with our teammates whom we've been together with since 2nd grade or even younger. My team doesn't exclude girls who are not so good at playing. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and we encourage each other during games.  I started off shooting at the wrong basket, but now I am the point guard for my team (mainly because I'm short but fast). We've had some good seasons (we were last season's champs), and some bad ones (We're in the midst of a losing season right now). On my part, I also play with kids from my local parks and recreation center perhaps another ten to fifteen more games a year.

In middle school this year, I joined the school basketball team.  Because my school is mostly non-Asian,  I think most of the school coaches and students assume that this short scrawny Asian girl  doesn't play sports. But, when I signed up for basketball this season, I find myself to be one of the more experienced players on the team.  While we've been losing quite a few games, I know that I help keep the team competitive. When we play against other schools, I'm pleasantly surprised that I run into players from the other Asian league teams I've played against before.  We're happy to see each other.

If we all keep playing, and schools and teams give us a chance instead of assuming that Asian kids can't play sports, maybe there will be more Asian boys and girls playing ball in college, and in professional teams too. Go, Jeremy Lin!

Instant Ramen!!!

What is  ramen? A staple for college students, a very pricy meal, a meal for people who don't want to cook, or just something that hits the spot. Either way there are so many different choices, it is bound to satisfy your taste buds.  Ramen can be amazing and expensive noodles, in which chefs try very hard to make the perfect broth, noodles, and toppings. Ramen can also be non-perishable, full of preservatives and loads of unhealthy stuff. However, in my opinion they are both good!

There are many varieties of instant ramen, ranging from (what I call) "safe" ramen called "Cup of Noodles" as you may have all heard of, to the red, hot, spicy "Shin Ramyun" (our favorite). I suppose "Cup of Noodles" is good on a cold, non-adventurous day, however there are so many others to try! When you start watching Korean dramas, you will see dozens and dozens of ramen commercials. Especially, our personal favorite commercial, for "Hoo Roo Rook" and Shin Ramyun. Man these people are so dramatic! Here are the videos below:

 

From the commercials shown above can't you see how happy these ramen eating men are? The catchphrase for Hoo Roo Rook is literally "So good, slurping is allowed!".

We have tried the Japanese ramen before, and trust me you can tell the difference. The Japanese ramen, specifically the ones we got ( Shirakiku Tokusen Sio Ramen "JAPANESE STYLE NOODLE") was bland, not very spicy at all, and best when kimchi is added to it.

"Shin Ramyun" is very spicy and especially good when you add other fresh ingredients to it. For example, eggs, wakame(seaweed), bok choi, other greens, and anything else you desire.

Instant ramen is so delicious, yet so bad for you. I love it! Try to control yourself...like my favorite manga character, Yotsuba below:

Remember to read from RIGHT TO LEFT!!!! 

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Chinese New Year. Year of the Dragon

For New Year's Eve, my extended family and I had a ten course banquet at a Chinese restaurant tonight! We are so full! Wish everyone a Happy Year of the Dragon!

Manga and Anime

Hi everybody! Sorry it's been a little while since the last post. Today I am making up for it by writing about manga and anime. If you don't know what manga is, they are basically Japanese comics with cute characters with big eyes. Anime are animated, Japanese, movies that are about many different things. I guess all manga authors all have a certain style, so not necessarily "big eyed". Manga can have one book or hundreds in one series. Anime is usually based on a popular manga. A few manga comics we know:
Yotsuba, DGray Man, Tsubasa, Oran High School Host Club, Azumanga Daioh, Fruit Basket, Death Note, Clannad, Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Amulet,  etc, etc, and much much much much more.

We don't read that much manga but enough to be obsessed by them for a little while and draw characters inspired by them....and go to the Anime Expo..luckily not dressed up like most everyone else. (We aint that crazy) 

Some anime are....
(ALL OF THE MOVIES BY STUDIO GHIBLI WHICH ARE AMAZING) Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Nausuca,Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor the Yamadas, Howl's Moving Castle, etc, etc... (these are only by Studio, Studio Ghibli)

 The Girl who Leapt Through Time (WHICH IS AMAZING!!!), Naruto, Clannad (the one we are currently obsessed with), Azumanga Daioh, Oran High School Host Club, and many of the ones above plus many more....

Spirited Away

Naruto

Manga and anime have a wide range of story ideas. Ranging from high school angst, exorcists, cute little girls (like Yotsuba.. which is ingenious), strange daily high school with a prodigy student, a pig-man, a girl who has to work in a bathhouse to change her parents back into humans after being turned into pigs, time traveling, fighting, fighting, fighting, awesome spirit things, creepy stuff, etc etc...

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

If I have to choose my favorite anime (just cause I like cute stuff) it would be Yotsuba. (which is made by the same person who made Azumanga Daioh.

YOTSUBA!

The anime Clannad is so cute and so funny, but it's hard to explain the high school angst and drama and funny stuff to people without them looking at you like your psycho. (You really have to watch before you criticize!!) I can't really name my favorite anime. They are all really good.

Manga and Anime are very different from American comics. American comics are based a lot on superheros. In my opinion, the best American comics are the ones based on life, like Calvin and Hobbes, Charlie Brown, Zits, etc, etc. I like superhero comics too and older comics like Archie, but they are a LOT different from manga. French comics like Asterix and Obelix, and Tintin are amazing but there aren't many new ones out. Manga comes out really fast and they all have different stories, some much better than others.

Once you read one you'll get hooked! Start right away everybody!

The Hilarious Lao Fu Zi: Old Master Q

One of the funniest comic strips we've read is the Chinese Lao Fu Zi, or "Old Master Q".  This comic strip has been around for many decades and was created by Mr. Alfonso Wong in Chinese.  When we read the comic strips we just looked at the pictures without understanding the Chinese dialog.  We'd ask our parents to translate the comic strips for us.  Most of the time though, we can understand the comic strip without needing to read the words.  Most of the comic strips have no words. The pictures speak for themselves because the drawing is so amazing.

Old Master Q is about an old Chinese dude who dresses like a very ancient Chinese dude.  However, he is young at heart and is involved in all kinds of antics and adventures.  Sometimes, he flies an airplane. Other times, he fishes, sky dives, challenges vicious gangsters, duels with ghosts, and even tries to woo beautiful young ladies.  Most of the time, Old Master Q lets the situation get the better of him, and falls flat on his face for the world to see.  But, it's always funny to see him try his best.  His two best buddies are Mr. Chin, and Big Potato.

Recently, we found Old Master Q's website at www.oldmasterq.com.  To our surprise, a lot of the original Old Master Q comic strips are posted on the site. What's even better, now there are English subtitles added. So check it out.  You might get some giggles too.

Angry Birds: World Sensation

Has not everyone played Angry Birds at least once since it first came out? Has not everyone played for hours on end staring at the little birds attacking the green pigs? Has not everyone dressed in angry bird costumes for Halloween? Okay, maybe not that extreme, although many people have gone a bit excessive... The whole Angry Birds has been blown out of proportion... and yet we still play it at least once a week trying to get three stars on every level, even if it takes us all night. Angry Birds has created a world epidemic, and even Hitler loves to play it. That's right Hitler.  Hitler, the most hated dictator in the twentieth century got sucked into the addictive game. See the video below:

Confused? Astonished? Disgusted? Well if you've played the game, you should know how addictive it is and how many hours on end, day and night, that you have spent cursing at those green pigs.

How many hours have you played this week? Comment below!

Merkato Ethiopian Restaurant Review by Fanofrice

My friend fanofrice reviews restaurants for kids better than anyone else. This is her review of one of our favorite restaurants in Los Angeles:

Just Bring Your Hands

You must be thinking right now "Just Bring Your Hands? Is this some kind of donation or something?!" Well no, it isn't. I only talk about food and art remember??(though I can't think of what to do in art...) This is a restaurant, Merkato, where you can eat with your hands! Kids will love this!!

Merkato is an Ethiopian restaurant in Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles CA, on Fairfax. (Near LACMA museum) Well if you live under a rock and never heard of Ethiopian food, then I shall explain. Ethiopian food often has on the center platter a piece of spongy flat bread called injera. The bread is a little bit sour but goes great with what you put on it. On top of the bread are often lentils, cabbage, greens, and meat each cooked in different kinds of sauces that soak into the bread.

Then this is when the hand part comes in. Tear off a piece of the injera and scoop up the sauce and eat up! It may seem uncivilized but that's why kids love it! Hope you have fun!

originally published here: http://coolrice.blogspot.com/2009/08/just-bring-your-hands.html

Well, you know what they say...Bollywood meets Jane Austen

 

"No life without wife."

At least that's what they say in "Bride and Prejudice," in which the stunning Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stars as the female lead, Lalita.  The movie is a Bollywood spinoff on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and while it does follow closely to the original storyline, it differs in its culture and setting.

Instead of being set in early 19th century England as Pride and Prejudice is, "Bride and Prejudice" takes place almost 200 years later--and in India.  Cultured and well-bred Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice becomes the free-spirited and beautiful Lalita, and the characters of Elizabeth's three sisters all undergo similar transformations.  Energetic and cheerful Mr. Bingley becomes Balraj, and fanatic Catholic Mr. Collins becomes nerdy and socially-awkward Mr. Kohli. While cold and seemingly emotionless Mr. Darcy keeps his original name in his character adaptation, he goes from being wealthy Englishman and owner of the grand Pemberley to a wealthy and successful owner of a Los Angeles hotel chain. And finally, my favorite transformation of all: Mr. Wickham goes from being something of a playboy and a scumbag to being even more of a playboy and a scumbag.

 One of the themes in both the movie and the book is that of the desires of wealthy single men to marry an eligible young woman.  Jane Austen expresses this idea very eloquently at the opening of her book: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."  "Bride and Prejudice" simplifies this: "No life without wife."

I encourage all Pride and Prejudice fans out there to watch the Bollywood adaptation.  You are sure to get a lot of laughs out of that one.

Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs (Part 2)

Before I went to my first bat mitzvah, I didn't know what to expect. Neither did my parents. To get prepared, my parents and I watched a movie called Sixty Six. 

Sixty Six is about a twelve year old Jewish kid named Bernie who has been planning his bar mitzvah for a long time now. He lives in England. Unfortunately for him, his dad loses his job so he has to have a smaller party, eventually only having the party at his house. To make it worse, his bar mitzvah takes place on the same day as the World Cup, and the year 1966 is the first time that England makes it to the World Cup Finals so nobody wants to attend his bar mitzvah. They were all glued to the TV. The story shows how Bernie deals with the disaster, from doing black magic on the English soccer players, to discussing the problems with his blind rabbi. It's a really great comedy that I suggest everyone should see, even if you aren't Jewish. If you don't recognize the actor, his name is Gregg Sulkin, and he is now in many Disney Channel movies and TV shows. 

Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs (Part 1)

challah bread

Recently, I have been invited to many bat mitzvahs (for girls) and bar mitzvahs (for boys). I've probably been invited to at least ten now, from kids from my school. A few of them I don't even know. Although I have been invited to ten bat mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs, I've only gone to one bat mitzvah so far. I have yet to see what happens at a bar mitzvah. None of the people in my family have ever gone to a bat mitzvah or a bar mitzvah before in their life. So you might imagine, it was quite the experience. The service is about two hours, with prayers and songs. They praise anything you can imagine; food (challah bread, wine), candles, etc.

It was quite entertaining to see my friend up there singing and holding a candle that was on fire, slowly melting and getting more and more warped. I was very happy to experience the Jewish tradition for the first time, although to sing and praise for two hours got a bit tiring after a while. To the point where the grown man in the pew in front of me took off his shoes and started laughing silently to himself.

The party is a completely different experience. They go all out, with DJs, music, colorful laser lights, entertainers, chocolate fountains, candy bars, dance floors, fog makers, and photo booths. They had a challah bread as long as a full sized bed that was on the table. It's a pity that we didn't get to eat it.

My family and I thought it was a bit extravagant to spend so much time, effort and money on this party.  But then again, it is the big 13.  Although, coming from a  Chinese family, we just get a red envelope with some cash in it.

We quickly stopped thinking that the bat mitzvahs were that ridiculous when we found out how much the kids make. My friend got at least $5,000. Although, she  has to donate some of it to different charities, that's still a lot of mullah. My cousin and I even considered converting for a little while dreaming that we'd make that much money. I must say, the party was very fun though, although I don't like dancing for five hours. I think I'll have to get used to more parties, going to a school that is 75% Jewish.

Happy New Year!!!

Justine Davis is at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn, New York

Justine Davis
I see our cousin Justine only once every ten years because she moved to Kazakhstan when she was a kid.  But, she came back to the the U.S. for college, majored in musical theatre and graduated this year.  She is now working as an actress at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, a children's theatre in Auburn, New York.  (How cool is that!) Known as Broadway in the Finger Lakes, The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse is located in Emerson Park, in the old carousel building at 6877 East Lake Rd. (Rt. 38A) Auburn, NY 13021 www.merry-go-round.com. It has shows for youths from June through November each year. Catch a show this coming summer or fall if you are in the Syracuse, NY area. Justine has an awesome singing voice.  Good luck, Justine!

A Ho Ho Ho Christmas Eve Dinner

Had dinner with my parents' friends in the San Gabriel Valley on Christmas Eve and saw this blood curdling dish on the menu: (check out item No. 46) :

Now, intestine and blood cake sound nasty for sure, but what is the Ho sauce? Also, check out Item No. 53 on the menu: What is the Sour Cabbage with Pig Stoma? Maybe the menu sounds better in Chinese.

What? Now We Can't Admit That We're Asian?

I was always told that diversity a good thing for this country.  I also hear that schools should admit students based on merit.  As an Asian student, I can't help wondering how best to navigate the various schools admissions criteria.  In the K-12 magnet school system here in Los Angeles, I've been told that it is more advantageous to identifying myself as being "white" to gain a spot in the highly coveted magnet schools.  Now, I read that to apply to college, Asian students who have an option to identify themselves at either "white", "other", or "Asian," should avoid the "Asian" option to give themselves a better chance of being admitted to elite colleges.  This is because apparently, Asian students are victims of being too successful academically.  http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2011-12-03/asian-students-college-applications/51620236/1

In a few years, I'll be applying to college.  As an Asian student with an Asian sounding last name, who is not a super academic performer, and not an athlete, what ethnic box should I check on the college applications?

Chow Mein and Chopsticks: Celebrating Thanksgiving the Chinese Way

My teacher asked our class, "So what are you all planning to eat for Thanksgiving?"
While most of the students responded with the traditional turkey and mash and stuffing, my friend and I--the only two Asian kids in the class--exchanged a glance.  "Chow mein!"  He hollered. "Rice!" Said I.

Funny how eager the class was to believe us.

I'm not sure how it is in most Chinese families, but I know that our Thanksgiving was celebrated with the traditional turkey and gravy and stuffing and mashed potatoes.  We did, however, add our own Chinese twist: we feasted on our American meal with chopsticks, and for dessert we enjoyed a lovely baked mochi cake with red bean paste.

Truth be told, I don't know a single Chinese person who likes turkey.  I know I don't.  I'm terrified of the idea of eating turducken, tofurkey, or just plain turkey.  Mom and dad complain that rubbing that fifteen pound turkey with seasoning and butter felt like washing a baby in the sink.  Even they were grossed out.  But we all decided to get into the Thanksgiving spirit.  I admire my grandparents, who put up with the hearty (and heart-attack inducing) American meal, however much they disliked it.  Of course, they brought their side Chinese dish so they can at least enjoy part of their meal.

 
Happy Turducken break!