Just in time for the Holidays, Sophia C. says: “Asians like to buy vitamins and other such supplements in the U.S. and bring them to Asia as gifts. They love fish oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Centrum Silver - and they must be American, American-made brands.” Hi Sophia! My family does this all the time when [...]
I am proud to have been invited as a prominent Asian blogger to Coca-Cola and Target’s inaugural Community Reception for the Year of the Tiger 2010. It shows how much of a voice we have given you, our readers, in the past 3 years. Before, there was no site that focused on dismantling and disseminating Asian stereotypes and explaining them in a way that sheds light into the culture and people that have these so-called “habits.”
In 2010, we at Asian Central and Stuff Asian People Like would like our readers, subscribers, and writers that we truly care about the Asian Community at large. We want to give Asians a voice because they are usually outspoken or too timid in today’s society. We are followers. This website was what Asian Americans needed because prior– they had no voice. We encourage you to voice your opinions so that people do not continue misunderstanding your cultures– our cultures. But there I go again– off on tangents about Community Values and Culture…
… so without Further Adieu– Let’s go to a quick recap of the night’s events:
The night started out like every other– light rain and a 25 minute BART ride across (or should I say underneath) the San Francisco Bay.
It ended in San Francisco, where my friend Nick and I (he loves Coca-Cola) walked about 30 minutes to 1AM on Howard Street (the site of the Community Reception).
The welcoming committee ushered us in at around 5:45 and executives from Coca-Cola and Target gave speeches about how Asian American populations are very important to their plans for future growth.
They then introduced two artists from the area who created artwork pieces that made it into the Year of the Tiger Calendar (only available at select Targets).
I had to get Ivan’s autograph and interview him a bit. Here’s his art piece if you were wondering!
The other pieces were awe-inspiring as well.
It was a wonderful experience meeting people that deeply cared for the Asian American Community.
Local News reporters were also on hand.
And the Hors d’Oeuvres were amazing!
Let’s not forget the goodies we received…
All in all, I want to thank the people at IW Group for the invitation and setting up this event. You did a great job in such a short amount of time. Have a safe trip back to SoCal!
Hopefully, Asian Central and Stuff Asian People Like will attend this event for years to come.
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Here’s the entire night’s recap in Photos!
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In other news:
This week, we also launched Asian Central 4, a community driven by Asian people who strive and look for deeper connections to their roots by meeting people who are very well versed on the subject. The community is still very much alive and active, a place where you can make friends that understand who you actually are (or learn about their cultures).
Stuff Asian People Like was also updated recently to include nested comments and email notifications (to foster better communication). It is all in an effort to create a large website community where Asians can be themselves and learn not to disconnect from their roots.
This week’s post is a very thought provoking dissemination of common Asian naming conventions by none other than guest writer Vannie Sung! Hopefully, we as a SAPL community can help shed some light on this topic. Take it away, Vannie!
Vannie says: I’d like to re-iterate the question that Shakespeare’s Juliet asked Romeo: “What’s in a name?”
Secretly, I like to think that having a second alias makes me sort of an undercover agent, which functions as the “James Bond” link to my identity. As a first-generation Asian-American (born here in the United States to immigrant parents), my genes (hypothetically speaking) make me a hybrid of both cultures. Yet, I’m more known to my family and acquaintances by my American pseudonym. Although my Chinese name holds more meaning (each character translates separately), ironically it means less to me since I identify with “Vannie” more (whereas “Vannie” is just…”Vannie”.) In addition, I’ve tended to notice that most Asian-Americans I know introduce themselves as “common” names (Christine, Jonathan, etc.) while the international students I meet simply flip their names- stating their last, then their first.
Upon their attempt to settle in this country, my parents changed their names so that they sound more “Americanized”; their explanation is that it’s easier to pronounce for foreigners. I know that they’re not the only ones (at least, I hope not), so why do we do this? Is it because when we are mandated to make ourselves known- such as filing tax returns or even simply filling out a raffle form, we’re automatically profiled? (Once again, this relates to my previous entry on racial profiling) Through this act of assimilation, why do we consciously conceal our identities? And besides, once our last names are revealed, the jig is up anyway.
As double agents, it’s typical behavior to avoid being discovered for who we are. But should we have reason to be afraid?
“It’s fast, cheap, yummy, and everywhere,” says Masako Fukui of Kei’s Kitchen (speaking about Japan’s greatest innovation of the 20th century– no joke). Believe it or not, even though these wavy egg noodles in broth are now ubiquitous with Japan; it had origins in China long before that (over four thousand years to be exact).
How did this come about, though?
In 1665, the first ever account of “Lamian” consumption was made by Japanese Feudal Lord Tokugawa Mitsukuni. From the late 19th to 20th centuries, spurred by imperial aspirations, technological advances, and a post-WWII food shortage; Lamian became an instant (pun intended) hit in Japan.
Quick Japanese 101: Lamian, Lamen, and Ramen are the same thing. There is no distinction between the “L” and “R” sounds. Lamian is Japanese for “stretched, pulled, or elongated noodles.” Thus, we now call Lamian, Ramen.
Soldiers and lay people alike could have been found slurping Ramen noodles (much like college students today) during the Meiji Period because they were a great source of calories, easily portable, and provided warmth (did I mention they were extremely cheap?). Thus, the Japanese transformed a Chinese peasant meal into a cultural symbol.
Only in the past 60 years has Ramen become an international and (and Asian) sensation. Momofuku Ando of Nissin Foods is responsible for the globalization and westernization of Ramen. In 1958, he invented our modern day “instant cup noodles.” In 1972, these noodles came across the Pacific Ocean (and all over the world) under the guise of “Top Ramen (Maruchan)” and “Oodles of Noodles.”
Today, Asians and people around the world consume over 85 billion Ramen meals a year. That amounts to about $10 billion dollars worth of Ramen purchases — more than the nominal GDPs of over 67 countries worldwide (Cambodia grosses 10.82 billion dollars a year and is ranked 123 in the world). Thus, Ramen could very easily be the answer to both feeding and sustaining third-world countries for years to come (though we all know Asians are far too stingy with money to let that happen).
Instant Ramen flavors ranging from classic beef, chicken, and pork; to more bizarre flavors such as “salsa picante shrimp” are becoming available every day. If you want more authentic taste, we here at SAPL recommend a visit to Maru Ichi.
If you want to be immersed in Ramen history, you can see the Ramen Museum in Shin-Yokohama, Japan. You will definitely be blown away by the wheat, mineral water, salt, and mineral water that go into every meal. =)
With that said: Due to innovation in the face of adversity, the Japanese have turned Ramen noodles into a worldwide Asian phenomenon. That’s why, SAPL readers, #130 Ramen Noodles are Stuff Asian People Like.
“Named the greatest “made in Japan” invention of the 20th century, in front of the karaoke and headphone stereos, in a Japanese poll made by the The Fuji Research Institute Corporation, instant ramen became a Japanese cultural icon,” adds Ramenlicious.
On another note, if you want some Ramen in the comfort of your home, check out what our friends at RamenBox.com are doing. Have you ever wished that you didn’t have to buy Ramen in bulk? Their service offers Ramen like never before– combining the largest selection of Ramen and convenience into a box (literally). You can choose from their huge database of Ramen flavors, healthy alternatives, and have suggested flavors sent to your email (if you’re feeling adventurous).
Your own customized RamenBox is then sent to your home. With every RamenBox order, you get everything you need to eat your Ramen as well. Napkins, Chopsticks, even Chili Sauce are included for “the best noodle experience ever.”
Gone are the days of looking for utensils in the middle of the night when you have a paper due the next morning. Plus– how awesome would it be if your friends came over and saw a custom box of Ramen on your counter? If you really want to be Asian, we here in the SAPL family suggest you give RamenBoxa try.
SAPL EXCLUSIVE: Our friends at RamenBox have offered a 10% discount code for Stuff Asian People Like Readers! Just type “stuffasianslike” as your discount code, and 10% will be taken off your order. If you’ve already ordered, 10% is being taken off your order as we speak.
Two years ago, Nancy and I met up with TimBeTold, a wonderful band with a great message and cause! Check out our feature on AC News: here.
Today, we were informed that “Pop rock group Tim Be Told [would be] embarking on a audacious national tour and are hitting everywhere they can!“
This is a great testament to their resiliency and persistence as a group. They are truly doing what they love while being positive influences for Asian Americans everywhere. If you haven’t checked them out, here is one of their hit songs, Analyze:
Tour dates: Jan 12 2010 White Rock Coffee Dallas, Texas Jan 14 2010 Kick Butt Coffee Austin, Texas Jan 15 2010 Fort Bend Community Church Missouri City, Texas Jan 16 2010 Houston Chinese Church Houston, Texas Jan 17 2010 Fort Bend Community Church Missouri City, Texas Jan 18 2010 Private Show Los Angeles, California Jan 19 2010 The Living Room Los Angeles, California Jan 20 2010 University of California Irvine Irvine, California Jan 22 2010 Hollow Body @ TRiP Santa Monica, California Jan 23 2010 Stanford University Palo Alto, California Jan 24 2010 South Bay Sa Rang Community Church Torrance, California Jan 28 2010 Livingwater Church Berkeley, California Jan 31 2010 Bay Area Chinese Bible Church San Leandro, California
Feb 3 2010 Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon Feb 4 2010 Skagit Valley College Oak Harbor, Washington Feb 5 2010 Ethnic Cultural Theatre w/New Heights Seattle, Washington Feb 6 2010 Evangelical Chinese Church Seattle, Washington Feb 9 2010 University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado Feb 10 2010 Chinese Evangelical Church of Denver Denver, Colorado Feb 12 2010 The Chapel w/Fundamental Elements St. Louis, Missouri Feb 15 2010 Elbo Room w/Lucrezio Chicago, Illinois Feb 17 2010 The Canopy Club w/ guests Urbana, Illinois Feb 18 2010 Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Feb 20 2010 Ishan Gala Benefit Concert Charlottesville, Virginia
This is not a paid advertisement. We have a great time whenever we go to their concerts or listen to their songs because they inspire change, much like we did with SAPL. Tim and the guys are some of the coolest entertainers on and off-stage as well.
They also performed at our non-profit service awareness concert, ServiceAsia, in June of 2009. If you live in (or near) their tour locations, check out their concert dates and be prepared for a great time.
-Peter
P.S. Nancy and I just got back from our China tour, so a highlight post is coming up very soon. At this time, just enjoy the Holidays and New Years’ afterglow. Happy Holidays!
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