December Twenty Eight Two Thousand Nine

Luxirare, my favorite blog.

How to make fresh mozzarella cheese from luxirare webzine on Vimeo.

Mrs. Chan

Mrs. Chan is my patternmaker. We have a special fortune or fate together (no exact word in English). She was the first patternmaker I've ever worked with for AIRA in the winter of 2007. I worked with her by default because she was the house patternmaker for that particular factory/sample house. From the day we met her, she was always very gentle and nice with a motherly aura. That factory owner Sherry-ah-ee drove me nuts and never made us feel like we were a valued customer, so we decided to leave without saying bye to anyone, including Mrs. Chan.

2 years passed by, and we have reconnected with Mrs. Chan! The factory we work with, after Sherry-ah-ee, is owned by 2 incredible people, Terri and Peter. I would work with them always if I could. They are quite expensive, so as long as I can afford them, I would. Nevertheless, they are great people and Terri knew that we were looking for a new patternmaker, so she asked around. We mentioned to her Mrs. Chan, but we had no idea what her name was, only who she worked for and where. In my culture, we call an elder lady Ah-EE. Everyone is an ah-ee and that was what we called Mrs. Chan, so we never knew her last name. Terri gave us 3 numbers of great patternmakers to call. Two were Chinese and one was Taiwanese. The first 2 that I called was super nice, but they both said they can't do after work jobs. They're too tired. I totally understood because it is a lot of work, especially if you're standing the whole day bending over paper. Plus, these ladies are not young. They're all about my mom's age. Then the last number I called was a "Mrs. Chan." I had a feeling it was the lady we loved, and I was RIGHT! Right when I heard her voice and when she heard mine, we recognized each other! And to my surprise, she said she would be delighted to help us after her job. She said that it wasn't too busy at her work now due to the economy, so she definitely wants to help us.

I feel super lucky to have reconnected with her because she's a great lady. She genuinely wants us to succeed and will take whatever payment we can give her. She is also teaching me at her house on the weekend, which I feel super grateful for. WHY AM I SOOOOO LUCKY?! I'm not sure if it's luck or simply someone above helping me out...but, I have met a lot of good people in my life. AIRA is very lucky.

I will continue about Mrs. Chan immigrating over here to the states in the next blog. I'm going to go eat breakfast now.

Light at the Edge of the World by Wade Davis

Buddhist Monk in Chamdo, Tibet
Arial Woman of Karare, Kenya
Warao of Winikina, Venezuela

MOCA

The Museum Of Chinese in America is one of the most beautifully curated museums I've ever been to. I might be biased though because it's just really heart warming for me. They recently moved into a new space after 30 years. Yesterday, I went to the MOCA to chat with them about volunteering and there was a big group of elementary school students touring and doing write-ups about the exhibits. And note that these elementary students were mostly non-asian americans. It made me really happy to know that schools are taking the time to learn and understand the sometimes avoided history of America. I'm not sure if it's the diversity of New York or that this Museum is a reminder of the many forgotten histories of this country, but as a young kid learning that diversity and immigration is the basis of this country, it is a positive way to teaching the next generations of our Home.

I wish that when I was attending Elementary, Middle school, or High school, there was a museum or a curriculum dedicated to knowing that Asian Americans have been around since the BEGINNING of this Democracy. You know how much of that identity crisis we all go through as youths would have been curbed?

Anyway, I strongly encourage all those that live in New York or visiting New York to visit this beautiful museum. It makes you proud to be a Chinese American, an Asian American. It reminds you of all the struggles our ancestors had to make and endure for this Museum to happen, for new generations to know the truth early on.

I hope so Susan Miller

Dear Pisces, of all the signs, you have the most spectacular outlook for a brilliant New Year ahead. You will have Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, soon to crown you celestial favorite of the zodiac in January for a year's stay. Rarely have you had a year as fortunate as the one that is on the way. After having been the most beleaguered of all signs, you are about to see a complete turnabout from all you've suffered. Reward, opportunity, happiness, and stronger health are on the way. Ahead is a dazzling year for you, full of wonder and light.

Happy New Year, dear Pisces.

I heart Pickles

If you know me well, you'd know that I LOVE super sour, salty, juicy pickles and never dill, sweet, relished pickles. If I think about that pickle taste, my mouth starts watering instantly. I was raised on eating them from all different countries...from America to Europe to Asia. I think it's a Taiwanese thing. When we eat dried plums...we like it super super sour. OH...i used to love those sour candies from Japan too...they were so sour that your face would scrunch up for 3 seconds. Sometimes you would even tear. And in Spain, I loved loved loved the salted fish in vinegar and olive oil.

Well anyway, this past weekend, I went to Brooklyn to check out this Winter Market sale held by Public Assembly because they listed Mary Meyer, and I love Mary Meyer. The trip ended up being a great score. It's not because of the 2 Mary Meyer tees I bought, but because of the 2 jars of pickles I bought from the BROOKLYN BRINE CO.

OMG OMG OMG. THEY ARE THE BEST PICKLES I'VE FOUND IN A LONG TIME. I bought the a jar of the Spicy Cucumbers and their award winning Fennel Beets.

Spicy Cucumbers: Organic cucumbers, Apple Cider Vinegar, Water, Sea Salt, Organic Chile Peppers, Organic Garlic, Natural Spices, Mustard Seeds, Coriander, Caraway, Black peppercorns, Chile Flakes.

Fennel Beets: Organic beets, Red wine vinegar, Water, Sea Salt, Organic & Fairly traded evaporated cane sugar, organic Garlic, Natural Spices, Tarragon, Mustard Seeds, Coriander, Fennel seeds, Black Peppercorns, Chile Flakes.

They're a fairly new company so they're not carried everywhere. But my goodness, they sure do know how to pickle them pickles!

Dreaming of a wonderful Christmas!

Daddy's little (evil) girl

On my way home today from Brooklyn, there was a couple sitting at the end of the train, 5 feet away from me with their little girl.  She was about 3.  Two stops into the trip, she starts screaming, yelling, and "playing" with her father.  Her mother was across from them reading what seemed like a grocery store coupon sheet.  All of a sudden the little girl runs up to her mother and slaps the coupon sheet with a loud scream.  Then the little girl would hurry up and run back into her father's protective arm and laugh.  This happened for about 3 more times before the mother started trying to discipline her by telling her to stop.  Of course the little girl doesn't stop.  She continues on slapping and screaming at her mom's coupon sheet which was spread out on the mother's lap.  Finally, the mom said to the father, "Tell her to stop!  Tell her!"  He smiles and says NOTHING.  My half of the train is full of older ethnic women whom were ALL STARING at them. They were frowning and shaking their heads b/c if it was their daughter, they'd slap her upside the head by now.  The evil girl is supported by her useless bonehead father.  And together they team-up against mom.  So evil.  

How do children get that way?!?  I would never dare do that to my mother, especially in PUBLIC.  It's the parents fault for not correcting her when wrong.  Are manners not important anymore?!