Friends of We Chinese in America

Lao Tzu’s wisdom at the Salk Institute

SABPA:

Biopharma Gamechangers

Lego Today,

Skycrapers Tomorrow Crossroad at Kosher and Kungpao China’s Matriarchy Extremely Poor, Incredibly Rich

A Martyr’s Daughter

Issue 7

Published in USA January 2013

By Friends of We Chinese in America 4151 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92117 Publisher: Ping Ma Editor-in-Chief: Patricia Lippert Editor: Dominic Guglielmo Aileen Knowles Artistic Editor: Richard Li Photography Credit: Richard Li Patricia Lippert Alan Su Legal Consultant: Qiang Ma Printed in The United States

TEL: 858.735.9366 FAX: 858.569.0988 Email: Letters@FriendsOfWeChinese. org Website: FriendsOfWeChinese.org WeChinese.us

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ased in San Diego, California, Friends of We Chinese in America (FOWCIA) is a Federal registered educational 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to build a bridge between Chinese and all others by providing publications, educational programs, and networking activities. We welcome the opportunities to collaborate with other organizations.

Our magazine strives to enable people of all cultural backgrounds to reach out, to share knowledge, information, and experiences, to help each other, and to become friends. We have received positive reviews on the first issue. Here are a few comments from our readers: “This is an up-scale magazine by any standard. The articles and stories are delightful. The illustrations are high quality!” – Tim, a previous magazine publisher “I enjoyed reading your magazine. It’s informative and fun to read. Truly top drawer! Keep up the good work!” – Ron, a retired educator who is teaching part-time in China “When I brought your magazine to the office, my co-workers liked it so much that they passed it around. They are asking if I can get a few more copies for them to take home!” - Maggie, an office manager “This is really a very nice magazine, perfect material for our students. I would love to get a copy for our school library.”

- Mr. Wood, a college professor “Thank you for your hard work producing this cross-cultural magazine. It is instrumental for our Chinese community to reach out to the mainstream community.” - Jing, a Chinese community leader “My wife and I have read your magazine, cover to cover, and we loved it. I would like to become a contributor in the capacity of a writer or a columnist.” – Troy, a retired professor “I have received solid business leads from readers of your magazine. I would like to renew my ad with you.” – Alan, a photographer We encourage all readers to contact us directly to give us feedbacks. We will be honored if you wish to become a supporter, a contributor, a volunteer, a member, and a sponsor to our organization.

For more information: FriendsOfWeChinese.org Contact Us: Tel: 858.735.9366

Letter@FriendsOfWeChinese.org

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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n this issue, we are focusing on talented, special individuals who have used their abilities to have a strong impact on the world, both across borders and across time. The world today provides us with opportunities to connect and create in circles of friends across the globe. We want to highlight the individuals who take advantage of what the world has to offer share it with others; their efforts create a more prosperous and harmonious world community.

Those presented in this issue come from different backgrounds and professions, but they all have ties to China. Our cover story on Dr. Brody and the Salk institute showcases the impact one individual has had on the medical industry, giving people access to medical advancements for a better and more fulfilling life. Dr. Brody’s selfless attitude embodies the idea that we should always strive to contribute to a cause that is greater than ourselves.

Our featured article highlights the work of the Sino-American Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Association (SABPA). This organization gives professionals a platform for promoting and developing new research and “best practices” within the biotechnology community. The organization brings industry professionals from all over the globe to work for a better future.

As SABPA and Dr. Brody commit themselves to honoring and improving life, Richard Li’s article shows us the reverence the Nepalese culture has for when life has ended. Richard’s article demonstrates that although ceremonies and customs maybe different, the value we hold life and death to is universal. May Yuan also explores this theme with her personal story on the loss of her father, who gave his life defending his country during the outbreak of the Chinese-Japanese War. Judy Berman Silbert’s article tells us how the universal art of dance is used to help define a culture and its values, and how the Nation’s of San Diego International Dance Festival allows patrons to explore the many cultures that exist right in their hometown.

Food is a major part of life, especially in Chinese culture. In this issue, we have fun readings on Chinese and Jewish families regarding entertaining guests.

As I was searching for a place in San Diego for Chinese New Year celebration at the beginning of February, I found Wang’s North Park, a brainchild of two Caucasian gentlemen, Joel and Alford, who wanted to create mouth-watering dishes in a contemporary setting. I was attracted by the wide selection of healthy and organic Asian cooking as well as the ample dining space. I believe I have found an ideal place to take my family, friends, and business associates.

This issue can be seen more as a thank-you to those who have dedicated their lives to create a more prosperous and harmonious world. Whether through defending one’s country, through dance, or through scientific research, each of these individuals have made it their mission to improve the lives of others with their own unique skills and their shared desire to make the world a better place. We thank them for all their contributions.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue.

Patricia Lippert, Editor in Chief Letters@FriendsOfWeChinese.org

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COVER STORY SECTION

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he Salk Institute for Biological Studies, a worldclass establishment known for its outstanding success as an incubator of scientists and research discoveries, as well as its unique beauty in architecture, was established 50 years ago in San Diego by the visionary founder and creator of the polio vaccine, Dr. Jonas Salk. The Institute, located adjacent to the campus of 6

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the University of California San Diego, is a beautiful melding of art and science. As the current president, Dr. William Brody will surely leave his mark in scientific and medical research as he guides the Salk toward further success and meaningful scientific achievements. In addition to being an acclaimed physician-scientist, entrepreneur, and university president, Dr. Brody is an inspirational leader and very capable administra-

COVER STORY

By Jeff Kaemmerling

SALK INSTITUTE F O R

B I O L O G I C A L

S T U D I E S

tor of scientific organizations.

Prior to taking the position of president at The Salk Institute, Dr. Brody was the president of Johns Hopkins University in Maryland for twelve years. With over 100 publications in multiple scientific fields and two patents, Dr. Brody is recognized amongst peers and colleagues the world over. Born in Stockton, California, Dr. Brody received his BS and MS degrees

in electrical engineering from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), as well as his MD and PhD (in electrical engineering) from Stanford University. Along with serving on multiple organizations and executive boards, Dr. Brody also has a plethora of personal talent. He is an avid lover of music and piano, a certified pilot and flight instructor, and a patron of Chinese culture and language.

The Salk Institute, which sits nestled along the La Jolla shores, was constructed in 1959. To this day, over fifty years later, the Institute still stands as an active research center and a recognized national historic site. This unique building came from the partnership of Dr. Jonas Salk and the renowned architect, Louis I. Kahn. Both contributed to the Institute’s natural, cooperation-fostering structure. Poured with warm, pinkish, and waterproof “Pozzuolanic” concrete, Salk and Kahn decided Friends of We Chinese in America 7

COVER STORY

to leave the exterior unfinished by attaching teak wood that gave it an inviting and imaginative feel. Building codes did not even restrict these creative geniuses, as they were forced to expand two stories above and below ground, for a total of four stories. Natural lighting was a highly important aspect that Dr. Salk wanted the Institute to have, which is why Louis I. Kahn ingeniously crafted 40-foot long and 25-foot wide light wells, bringing light to the deepest reaches of The Salk Institute.

The final touch was the massive courtyard, surrounded on three sides by buildings, overlooking the sea. This beautiful, innovative, and aheadof-its-time complex is not only known for its beautiful sunset views, but also for the powerful collaboration that is encouraged and enhanced by the building plan.

With Dr. Brody at the helm, The Salk Institute looks to the future with optimism and strength. With the budget situation worsening in California, institutes like the Salk have been actively pursuing alternative methods of funding, to compliment the steadfast support from the National Institutes of Health and The March of Dimes. Although raising money for The Salk Institute was far from easy, Dr. Brody has had previous experience in raising over $5 billion in two fund-raising campaigns for Johns Hopkins. He has also been responsible for a very successful philanthropy campaign that has put tools in the hands of their 59-member faculty, and has kept research alive in areas like cancer, HIV, neurobiology, and plant biology. This faculty comes from all corners of the globe, including areas like Taiwan, China, and India. Eight of the current faculty are members of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Already knowing key Chinese phrases and words, Brody finds Chinese culture to be endlessly fascinating and the people warm and friendly. The reason Dr. Brody wanted to learn Chinese was because he, himself, wanted to give a speech in Chinese. When he was asked where he finds time to accomplish all the things he has done in his life, Dr. Brody enlightened us to his philosophy of accomplishment and life. He calls it the “Calculus of Success�. He said that success equals preparation plus the opportunity. Preparation requires a combination of natural talent and hard work. If people are always striving to perform their best, put forth their best effort, and truly work hard toward that opportunity, then one portion of the equation is finished. However, Dr. Brody also stated that opportunity is a combination of luck and the ability to recognize the good luck when it comes your way. That ability, Dr. Brody says, is paramount when finding your niche in a field that you are talented and work hard in.

What follows are a few questions from an interview with the good doctor by Friends of We Chinese Magazine:

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COVER STORY

The Institute consistently ranks among the top institutions in the US in terms of research output and quality in the life sciences. In 2004, the Times Higher Education Supplement ranked The Salk Institute as the world’s top biomedicine research institute, and in 2009 it was ranked number one globally by Science Watch in the neuroscience and behavior research areas. What are the key driving forces behind such a successful record?

There are a couple of other things that are important. The expectation is that if you come to The Salk, you will be coming to the National Academy of Sciences. The expectation is that you will be promoted among some of the top scientists in the world (not everyone gets promoted, or wants to). Therefore, the bar is very high. In order to make sure that we keep that bar for promotion very high (the bar/standard of performance), we have a group of about eight, outside, very distinguished professionals that are all National Academy members and even Nobel Laureates. They’re appointed for a long term, and thus know the people that they are promoting, which is important. I think that this is unique; not many universities have that.

Given the caliber of researchers at the Salk Institute, what do you feel is the best strategy to implement when managing a large group of highly motivated, and highly intellectual individuals?

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COVER STORY

I have taken a hands-off approach to management. I see myself as a facilitator for those who are passionate about the work they do. I find that the best thing I can do is to give my researchers the tools and environment to do their job. The researchers at the Salk Institute are some of the best in the world, making breakthroughs everyday. Allowing them the freedom to do what the love is the most important thing I can do.

That is similar to Lao Tzu’s famous wisdom that great emperors are ones that . What suggestions can you give to the do not rule at all Chinese leaders who may have a direct influence on the next generation of the Chinese medical and healthcare system?

China has an enormous talent pool as well as people who are trained abroad that will come back. The challenge is to create an environment of meritocracy where hard work is rewarded. Research and science have no boundaries; if you train those people in your country, they will stay and go on to make the next great discovery, or the next pharmaceutical company; but the research benefits the world. The theme of the next generation of healthcare, especially within a budget, should be switching from acute care to chronic care. The advantage that China has is that they have a very direct and flexible ministry of health. Also, from what I know, physicians are very poorly paid in China, making it difficult for them to make a living. I would say to help solve these problems.

THE SUN Artist: Dale Chihuly Generously Donated by Joan and Lrwin Jacobs in Celebration of the Salk Institute’s 50th Anniversary Dedicated: April 14, 2011

How do you find time to do all the things you have done in life, including learning to speak Chinese?

It’s simply about combining the things that I am interested in. When I talk to young people, most say they want to succeed in “last year’s” stuff.

However, it’s easier to make one’s mark where there is little development or fewer people. Those roads less traveled can usually be their best opportunity for growth. When I decided to go into Radiology, almost all of my colleagues in the Cardiac Surgery field thought I was insane. Twenty years later, those colleagues that are still in the Cardiac Surgery field are wishing that they have switched to Radiology. When I saw the first CAT scanner in 1973, I personally thought it was a revolution; and really, the CAT scanner changed surgery in such a huge way.

The legacy of this man far precedes the Institute, and one would think it almost fate that such an outstanding scientist and human being would step up to lead this first-rate research institute. For the future, Dr. Brody plans to help take The Salk Institute to the stars. The contributions that the Salk scientists make will not only be beneficial to the U.S., but to countries like China as well. would like to especially recognize Dr. Brody for his amazing work in all facets of life. His work and philosophy can be translated to us all, in any language, as a “formula” to take hold of one’s life, and search for every opportunity to grow. His incredible outlook on success and personal experience contributes to the progress in scientific research that The Salk Institute enjoys today. s

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The Salk Institute laboratories are housed in two large concrete facilities, which contain no interior walls to facilitate better teamwork and communication.

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By Jing Ji

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Photograph by Lily Zhu & Richard Li

December 2012

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BUSINESS

By Dominic Guglielmo

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uddled together in the small Shanghai City restaurant in San Diego, seven Chinese researchers from Pfizer gathered to brainstorm ideas for a professional association, not only for San Diego’s booming biotech and pharmaceutical industry, but also for the growing Chinese community that supports this large and dynamic field. On October 16, 2001, Ming Guo, Ping Chen, Richard Guo, Xinjun Hou, Hui Li, Zhenping Wu and Xiu Yu began to build the framework for a professional association that would quickly expand and become a powerful force for the Chinese-American community and the biotech and pharmaceutical arenas worldwide.

Since its inception, the Sino-American Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Professionals Association (SABPA) has been a local group where professionals who are passionate about their careers could share their research and help develop the future of the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. However, the confines of San Diego soon became too limited for this burgeoning group and their reach soon expanded into the Orange County and Los Angeles (OC/LA) areas. The SABPA has even expanded eastward, where its voice can now be heard throughout the Pacific Rim. THE HUMBLE BEGINNING In the fall of 2001, San Diego has become one of the major hubs for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Attracted by renowned academic research centers such as the Salk Institute, the Scripps Research Institute, and the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), many heavy hitters in the industry soon made San Diego their home base. Multinational companies such as Pfizer, GNF-Novartis, Merck, Eli Lilly, and Johnson and Johnson set up shops in San Diego, making biotech and pharmaceutical research a powerful driver of San Diego’s economy. Along with these companies came the tens of thousands of employees that worked for them. But these passionate professionals found that, while the weather

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Dr. Peter Zhu was the former President of the SABPA San Diego Chapter. He is a senior scientist at Pfizer with more than ten years of experience in the field of Medicinal Chemistry. With a history in the international business and transportation fields, Dr. Zhu has done a great deal to spark entrepreneurial development for the SABPA.

and scenery of San Diego was quite lovely, there did not exist any local organization where professionals of the biotech and pharmaceutical community could gather to share their research, exchange ideas, and develop their professional and business potential. The seven Pfizer colleagues soon realized that this gaping hole existed in their community and made plans to form an organization that will support their industry and the many Chinese-Americans who are employed in these industries. After their first organizational meeting on October 16, 2001, Ming Guo, Zhenping Wu and Xinju Hou volunteered to reach out to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical community. Forty-eight professionals from various companies around San Diego responded to their call. Working together, they formed the organizing committee for the Sino-American Biotech and Pharmaceutical Professionals Association (SABPA). The board members of the SABPA recognized that launching the SABPA would require great effort. “You are dealing with people who are very busy, who have little time to give outside of their work. They have children, husbands, wives, and still they want to give as much

time as they can to the SABPA because it means so much to them,” say Peter Zhu, President and Vice Chair of the SABPA. On June 8, 2002, the inaugural event of the SABPA was held at the UCSD Faculty Club. Those involved worked extremely hard to prepare for the event. Some of the more daunting tasks included developing the SABPA mission statement, drafting bylaws, forming the SABPA board, filing for non-profit organization status and designing the SABPA website. With their strong will, support from volunteers and sponsors from the local community, the SABPA achieved its first and arguably most important milestone without difficulty. The SABPA was able to secure sponsorships from local companies. Members from Pfizer obtained $5000 from the Pfizer Community Fund, which provided compensation to organizations whose employees volunteered. Over 150 people attended the inauguration event.

ESTABLISHING THE IDENTITY AND MISSIONS There were three main areas that the SABPA wanted to focus on as the organization grew. They wanted to make sure the organization was “mainstream, local, and grassroots.” To

They wanted to make sure the organization was “mainstream, local, and grassroots.”

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Dr. Yahu Liu is a member of the board of directors and Vice President of Social Events of SABPA. Currently a research investigator for the Genomics Institute, Dr. Liu has been behind many breakthroughs in the bio-pharma field both in the United States and in China. He serves on several committees and the SABPA has relied on his expertise and dedication in planning SABPA conferences.

be “mainstream,” the organization had to make sure that the group, which was primarily for professionals of Chinese origin, addressed the broader needs of the entire biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry without any ethnic boundaries. Secondly, the SABPA wanted to focus “locally,” making sure to give back to the community that gave them their start in San Diego.

Lastly, the SABPA wanted to maintain their “grassroots” beginnings, relying on the support and service of volunteers aiming to steer an industry in the right direction rather than focusing on profit. These goals could not have been achieved without the dedication of those who contributed their time and effort. One founding member said, “It’s easy to set up an organization, but it’s not easy to run it well.” The SABPA relies on the tireless effort of its volunteers to make sure the organization keeps running smoothly as it grows. Those involved come from many diverse professional and educational backgrounds. Medical students, junior scientists, research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, professors,

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It’s a growing makeplace that has become very attractive for American as well as for European research companies and investors that wish to break into the Chinese market and CEOs are all welcome in the SABPA community.

In order to maintain relevancy within the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, the SABPA regularly holds forums and symposiums to further the exchange of ideas and research in the field. These events, such as the Science and Technology Forum, the Pacific Forum, and the Education and Career Development Seminar, each targets a specific area within the biotech and pharmaceutical industry and make sure that the needs of companies and individuals are met. The scales of events include many different aspects of the industry and bring in contributors

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Dr. Mingzhu Zhang is leading the SABPA beginning January 2013 as the new president. She will

and audiences from all over the world. The SABPA members also take an active role in attending other biotech conferences across the country every year in order to see what is happening in the industry and how they can apply the success of other conferences to improve upon their own.

The flagship event of the organization, which truly emphasizes the major mission of the SABPA, is the Bio-Pharma Conference.

This annual event brings together individuals throughout the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. SABPA makes it clear that they are an all-inclusive organization, which is demonstrated by the diverse participants of the Bio-Pharma Conference.

“Although we have Chinese roots, SABPA is dedicated to our industry regardless of one’s cultural heritage,” says Zhu. By bringing in prominent companies and individuals to speak at these events, 30% of them non-Chinese, SABPA welcomes everyone by blurring those cultural and ethnic lines.

face many new challenges, yet her history with the SABPA has proved that she has the ability and determination to handle them. Currently serving as executive vice president, Dr. Zhang has had a long history with the SABPA. Dr. Zhang ensured the survival of the SABPA during the 2008 economic crisis, which hit the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry particularly hard. To keep the SABPA afloat, Dr. Zhang, through her wide connection in the industry, assisted many members of the SABPA to connect with potential employers, thus providing opportunities for some members to continue their work in difficult times. Under the leadership of Dr. Zhang, the SABPA can be confident that its growth will continue.

ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER AND CHINA EXPANTION Given the rapid growth and accomplishments that the SABPA experienced in a mere few years, it became clear that its influence on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in San Diego would soon expand beyond the county boarder. During the Education and Career Development Seminar in September 2004, SABPA member Ying Zhao proposed the idea of starting an Orange County chapter of the organization to another attendee during a networking session, That fellow attendee was none other than Ming Guo, one of the founding members and chairman of the board of the SABPA at the time. Ying Zhao was a profes-

Members of Orange County Chapter

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sional working in the field of medical devices and diagnostics in Irvine and saw the huge potential for growth of the SABPA by expanding into these extremely populated regions, where biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms also play a large role in the local economy.

The SABPA board completely supported the idea, and soon reached out to the local community in Orange County in order to attract volunteers. It was decided that the OC/LA chapter should focus on medical devices. Recognizing the different market of the OC/LA biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, the SABPA aims to tailor the OC/LA chapter to meet the needs of the area and the members who work there.

This allows the SABPA branch to maintain its “local” identity.

“We do have plans to expand in other areas in the future We see the potential of establishing SABPA in areas like Boston and San Francisco, and we will consider and address the needs of those areas as well,” comments Zhu. With many members and leaders returning to China, the SABPA recognizes that China is one of the important areas of focus. “Many European biotech companies have set up their research centers in China. It’s a growing marketplace that has become very attractive for American as well as for European research companies and investors that wish to break into the Chinese market ”, says Dr. Stephanie Shi, a SABPA board member, works for Pfizer Global Research and Development.

The five-year anniversary in 2007 was a momentous occasion for the organization. However, as the SABPA celebrated its success, many professionals in the field were feeling the bite of the recession hitting the United States economy. Many members were losing their jobs as the industry shrank under difficult economic times. However, the SABPA did not view this as a catastrophe, but rather an opportunity for growth in the form of providing educational and career development events for its members facing hard times. Although there is no financial compensation for members and volunteers, the SABPA has offered a wide range of opportunities for its members by bringing in companies looking for fresh talent and providing job opportunities and career growth for its members that they wouldn’t have otherwise.

INJECTING NEW BLOOD The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry is dynamic. The SABPA realizes that in order to maintain relevancy, it too must be dynamic. Leaders and board members are lim-

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ited to two-year terms, allowing for new blood to be injected into the organization bringing new ideas to the table. “We promote the idea that we all just need to get on the bus first, and then we can figure out where we’re going,” says Zhu, “if we see someone has an interesting idea, we want to support them and see what happens. This is the culture of innovation that allows the individuals to make strong contributions to the organization and the industry as a whole”.

The SABPA has always maintained that the success of the organization is all due to the family of volunteers that work hard to keep it running. All of the members of the SABPA can be proud of the impact it has had, not only in their professional careers, but how it has strengthened the local community and has helped build bridges between China and the United States. It is an organization built on the dedication of a few individuals, like Hua Gong, the busy mother of three, who still finds time to work on the publication of the Ten-year anniversary yearbook of SABPA, or Yahu Liu, who Peter Zhu describes as “one of the main supporting beams on which the success of SABPA was built”. SABPA relies on these dedicated members to fully develop the potential of their industry as well as the strong Chinese community in San Diego. s

SABPA members mingle during conference break on June 9th, 2012

A SABPA networking lunch in San Diego

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22 CULTURE

By Richard Li

Nepal is a place of deep-rooted culture and immense beauty. On my recent 18-day journey, I experienced its tranquility and beauty and strove to frame its strong emotions through the lens of my camera. Setting foot on this plain, I immediately found a sense of serenity and detachment--leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the city. Sensing the ancient life of the forest, walking a dirt road in the countryside, strolling by a quiet lake, overlooking distant snow-capped mountains, I felt a kind of spiritual cleansing.

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ne of my most profound experiences in Nepal was attending a cremation ceremony in Kathmandu. We are frightened by death; people everywhere aspire towards longevity. Various religions and cultures share the belief that even as the flesh is ephemeral, the soul is eternal. Living in a Hindu state, the Nepalese believe that the body is an instrument to carry the soul; they face death without fear, hoping their soul will be set free for eternity. They believe that the cremation ceremony not only serves to dispose of the body, but is the ultimate union of soul with the Universal Spirit. Death is therefore not a tragic matter—the cremation ceremony scene contains no sorrow. Rather, it elicits an extraordinary tranquility and serenity. Nepal calls cremation “tubi”. According to Hindu philosophy, the human body is a combination of five basic natural elements: fire, water, air, earth, and space/ether. When one dies, the body and soul return to their original forms as these five elements. The soul is separated from the body in the raging flame, and when the fire turns a bluish smoke, the soul flutters slowly towards heaven.

“Pashupatinath” Temple, meaning the “Temple of Divine and Creative Force”, is one of the most beautiful architectures in Nepal. Its three levels are magnificently decorated. It sits on the Bagmati River, which originates in the Himalaya Mountains and connects downstream to India’s Ganges River. The open-air crematory encompasses both banks of the river, and is composed of several dozen stone cremation platforms. The north bank belongs to the noble aristocrats, while the south bank is for the common people. The closer to the temple, where the cremation occurs, the higher the status of the individual. But whether the dead was elite or ordinary, all eventually vanish into ash and air.

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Himalayan Sierra photographed on the “Mountain Flight�

I witnessed an ordinary family cremation ceremony. The body of the deceased was wrapped in white cloth. The three sons of the dead cleansed the body in the river, poured scented oil all over it, and then wrapped yellow cloth over the white. They sprinkled flowers, rice, and other propitious items over the wrapped body, and family and friends assembled to pray together. The sons then lifted the body onto the cremation platform, placing it atop three tiers of firewood. The relatives covered the dead with a scarlet cloth and poured water from the river onto his lips. Finally, they gathered hay and placed it on top of the red cloth. The eldest son reached for a lit torch and circled the body three times before lighting a fire over the forehead. The flames at first burnt slowly into the hay, but as more burned the flames grew higher, until suddenly a raging fire crackled from the wood and it seemed as though the soul was struggling to separate from the body and rise with fire and wind into a future of eternity.

The rites lasted approximately four hours. Once complete, the relatives pushed the corpse’s remains into the river, watching as it drifted peacefully with the water. The Nepalese do believe in death - ash is given back to the earth, soul is entered into the heavens with the smoke and fire, and life continues through reincarnation and transmigration (samsara). I heard that children often bathe and play in the wide and limpid Bagmarti River, letting the ashes drift over their bodies without fear or revulsion. Perhaps the idea that death is a kind of life already affects their beliefs.

After witnessing a typical Hindu cremation ceremony in Nepal, I have found a new interpretation of the meaning of death. Returning to the noise and complexities of this world, my heart holds the peace and purity of that simple land. s

Photograph by Richard Li

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Hindi Priest at Pashupatinath Temple

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BUSINESS

EDITOR’S PICK

Wang’s North Park combines Asian Fusion with traditional Chinese cuisine in a tastefully designed setting. Every dish is prepared with only fresh ingredients.

No MSG. Full Vegetarian and Gluten Free menu make Wang’s North Park the place to go. It boasts having one of the best happy hours in the city.

The expansive bar and the ample dining area are visually divided by a 20-foot high metal bonsai tree sculpture. With the recent addition of a separate dining area in the mezzanine, Wang’s is ideal for large group gatherings and events, such as wedding receptions. The trained staff helps you and your guests feel at home and make sure you are well taken care of.

Wang’s has managed to build a warm, inviting atmosphere that combines modern aesthetics with a 1940’s architecture. Warm bamboo flooring, twisted steel and cool tile give an organic feel that is unlike anything in the neighborhood.

There is ample validated parking available directly behind the restaurant.

I have found Wang’s a delightful alternative to traditional Chinese restaurants on Convoy. Come and judge for yourself. s 24

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CULTURE

M

y friend Ameer recently started a conversation with me about the differences he’s noticed eating out with us, his predominantly Asian friends, versus the American style meals he’s used to. For example, eating out at TGIFs or some other ‘classy’ establishment, everyone will order their own food, oftentimes doubling or even tripling up on a popular dish. There’s also a possessive quality to what is yours versus what is someone else’s. The “Chinese way” of eating out is very different.

In Asian cultures or Chinese culture, as menus are being perused at the beginning of the meal, there’s a lot of conferring and discussion about what to order. Oftentimes the conversation can sound like bartering. “I’ll get the burger if 26

Friends of We Chinese in America

you get the mac and cheese,” your friend might say. The general idea is that you’re always ordering for the table, and there’s an implicit understanding that all the food will be shared. If you want to get real fancy, assign one person to order all the food. He or she will take suggestions and then assemble a complete meal. This person should be either well versed in the cuisine or simply the oldest. Actually, age means nothing. The person with the best food sense should be selected. Good palates aren’t age specific.

When ordering, the dishes that make up an entire meal should be complementary, with different food groups and flavors represented. A common comment made throughout the process might be, “Do we have enough vegetables? Should we

CULTURE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jonathan Yang

is the author of the young adult novel, “Exclu-

sively Chloe,” about a Chinese girl who is quite literally adopted into Hollywood royalty. He is currently hard at work on the sequel, also to be released by Penguin/Speak.

add a tofu?” This focus on balance provides a huge advantage: You’re going to get to try a lot more things on the menu. Instead of having four orders of chicken fried steak because it’s the best selling item, there could be six to eight different types of meat, that way, there is a variety of things to taste and comment on.

Let’s stop to take a look at a “complementary meal” real quick. Last Chinese New Year’s Eve, I was thrust into the task of ordering for our entire table. My friends wanted some authentic Chinese food and we’d hoofed it down to Manhattan’s Chinatown. Since I was the highest- ranking Mandarin speaker, it fell upon me to order. Confident in my abilities, I assured my friends that a terrific meal was about to materialize. (I’ve ordered in Chinese restaurants many times before, and while my Mandarin isn’t perfect, it’s at least serviceable.) When our meal arrived, it was five servings of soup dumplings (or wonton soups), three noodle dishes, two vegetables, and one lonely scallion pancake. I had completely forgotten to order any meat or other main dishes.

I was so used to ordering with a group, my usual troupe, when someone takes care of the “whole order” and I was just focusing on pushing noodles or vegetables into our final order. I am seldom in charge of the main stuff. Even though I was the sole voice doing the ordering this night, I was stuck in a sidekick mentality. My friends smiled and said how delicious everything was but I knew that I had completely failed them. One thing to take into account is the vision of what’s being ordered and make sure that the dishes are complement to each other. I just wanted to tell you this little story so people would know what an unbalanced meal looks like. Don’t do it. They’ll never let you order for the table again.

A note for newbies eating with us: If you are too polite to disclose your preferred dish beforehand, there can be some confusion because other members of the table won’t know what to order in response. There might even be some harsh words like “You should’ve said that earlier!” It’s best to chime in with your order before the waiter gets around so we can coordinate. That’s a lesson Ameer learned very quickly. Now he’s quick to offer up his order and is often the meal organizer. From baby steps to food general,

that’s our prodigy.

When the actual food arrives, there’s a slightly different protocol too. First, dishes will be offered to everyone, with portions taken off every plate in advance. Each new dish will be distributed and sometimes the person next to you might even serve you, literarily put food into your plate, if they decide to either show their respect or friendship to you. An order that is nominally yours will often have its contents depleted by at least thirty percent before returning. That’s okay though because that void will be filled with forty percent of other people’s foods. Give a little and return a lot.

Ameer also noted that eating out with our group of friends was pleasurable because we have the understanding that any food is fair game to try. Oftentimes we barely ask before reaching across the table for a nibble off someone else’s plate. He said that if he tried doing that with his other friends, his fork would be slapped away. Since we are all such good friends and accustomed to eating with each other, we tend to casually share our food at every instance. It’s comforting. There’s also no waiting for everyone to get their food because the dishes are already being passed around. We don’t stand on ceremony and we’re all about eating when hot food hits the table.

“Wait,” you say, “this just sounds like family style Italian, or eating tapas!” Sure other restaurants specialize in communal eating, but my friends and I do this with everything. It’s normal to eat family style when the cuisine calls for it, but we’ve adopted a Chinese mentality to eating with even non-Chinese foods. So that Costco salad and pizza better be split five ways if you don’t want to be put on food/friendship — time out! s September 2012 Friends FriendsofofWe WeChinese ChineseininAmerica America 27 2

SECTION LOCAL EVENT

ifdef

Marine Corps Air Station

A self taught photographer interested in art photography, mainly concentrated in shooting film. Started late 2008 after buying first Nikon DSLR, and gradually moved towards using legacy film equipment ever since.

A BLUE ANGEL Note the air disturbance coming off the upper wings - that was one high-speed turn!

Pacific Prowler

Oregon Aero

Black Hawk The Rocket Launcher & Three Generations The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-bladed, single engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. The AH-1 is also referred to as the Huey Cobra or Snake.

AH-1 Cobras were in use by the Army during the Tet Offensive in 1968 and through the end of the Vietnam War. Looking directly to the rocket launcher, can you imagine the stories behind every single rocket that was fired through these tubes almost half a century ago?

28

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on Blue Angles The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy Flight Exhibition Team, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team.

Since their inception, the “Blues” have flown a variety of different aircraft types for more than 427 million spectators worldwide.

HELICOPTER ROTOR With numerous types of rescue and attack helicopters on display Miramar Air Base had a fantastic showing of helicopters from all eras.

T

he photos displayed here were taken at a recent MCAS Miramar Air Show by two people of complete different backgrounds.

An Iowa native, Lane Davidson is a professional photographer, who travels extensively and takes photos of both landscapes and portraits. He has always been excited about subjects related to “planes”, like most of little boys. “The exhilaration of speed and sound is exemplified by the flashing sunlight on wings and thunderous echoes from powerful motors zipping past you.” says Davidson, “Whether it is the Blue Angels in their Hornets or the hovering Harriers, my chest was vibrating with excitement and chills.”

Originally from China, Catherine Shen works as a full-time database administrator in IT industry. Her love for life and arts and her enthusiasm for nature, culture, and adventure have led her to the world of photography. “Being able to capture all those beautiful moments in life is a blast to me.” says Shen, “If life is like a box of chocolates, I would love to share with you all the different flavors through my shots!” s C-130 The enormous C-130 Hercules transport plane has been a backbone to the US Marine Corps as far back as the 1950’s! The fact that the Blue Angels use it as an appropriately relevant and impressive plane in their demonstrations is a testament to design and beauty of form. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

ColdWar Fighter Fighter planes from various eras were also on display, including this Saber that dates from the earliest days of what we now know as the “Cold War” era (late 1940’s-1950’s).

Catherine Sheng

Lane Davidson September 2012 Friends Friendsofof WeChinese ChineseininAmerica America 292 We

LIFE

Albert Hu’s Journal

About the writer: Albert Hu, a studious junior at San Marino High School, Southern California, lives in a privileged neighborhood, where a major “depression” occurs at the discovery of a ‘B’ on a report card. Albert is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and was also recently voted “King of Winter Formal”, “the Most Respected”, and “the Best Personality” by his fellow schoolmates. He is a student member of the Governing Board of Education of San Marino Unified School District. Albert had decided against applying for a summer program at a prestigious college last summer and took a trip to a remote mountain village in southwestern China. Accompanied by his father, they stayed in the Zidu Villages in the Liangshan Mountain Range, which lies in the southernmost area of Sichuan, and close to Yunnan. The indigenous people belong to the Yee Nationality.

Albert and his dad brought donations (backpacks, school supplies, and clothes) to give to the schoolchildren of the villages.

The following is the condensed dairy of the journey by Albert. The photos were taken by his father, Scott Hu. 30 Friends of We Chinese in America

LIFE

l

Day One

, 6/19/2011, Sunday Minimizing costs, we took a red-eye flight on Thursday, from metropolitan Shanghai to a small city, Mianyang, Sichuan. An airline van then bused us and a dozen other passengers for two hours over to Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan. In the twilight of 4 a.m. We rushed to the train station, only to be told that a landslide due to a heavy storm. had blocked the railway between Chengdu and Kunming somewhere half way into Sichuan.

After waiting in a long jostling line of the ticket hall to get our tickets refunded, we were tricked into believing that the only way to travel to our destination, more than 310 miles away through the ups and downs of the mountains, was by a private, long-distance bus, of course, with an inflated fare.

The bus was so old that it got overheated several hours after it climbed into the mountains. The two drivers had to stop the bus a few times along the way to cool it down by dousing the engine and then getting it repaired. Later, a small van took me, my dad and five other passengers on extremely bumpy, rural roads and reached Xichang after midnight, where almost

all the hotels and motels were full with exhausted travelers.

When we arrived at the bottom of the Liangshan Mountain Range around noon today, we found a small but busy trading township called Donghe where the denizens of the mountains come to barter and relax on the seventh day of the week.

To go any further beyond Donghe Township, we would have to travel by foot. Teacher Luo (Yee name: Bufu Chee’er) from the mountain village, who was informed of our arrival by a volunteer group in Donghe, came with his wife and a horse to welcome us. He was delighted to see us and the boxes of donations, filled with clothes, backpacks, and the like.

Teacher Luo pointed out to me as we crossed a suspension bridge: “This bridge is a recent addition. Before it was built, some people drowned when crossing the river every year.” During the summer, the river flows more smoothly, but the water still bears the brown tint of the surrounding rocks and earth.

Day Two, 6/20/2011, Monday Teacher Luo teaches at Lailuo Elementary School from Monday to Saturday. He took Dad and me along today on his Friends of We Chinese in America 31

LIFE

one and a half hour hike on the rugged mountain trails to the school. The whole school grounds covers as much land as an average house in San Marino. It has three tiny rooms on both sides of an open ground. Each room has one window-like opening that barely lets in any light. Their desks are way too high and the stools are too low. The buildings are all made of mud. Even the children look like they’re made of mud.

At recess today, Teacher Luo presented the clothes that we had brought. Teacher Li had students lined up from shortest to tallest in three rows. Teacher Luo set a cloth down on the school ground before them and sorted out the clothes.

He said clothes of larger sizes are better than the smaller ones because they can cover kids’ little bodies against wind chill up in the mountains. I could tell that the kids appreciate any type of clothing.

All the children here are polite and really pretty. They tend to have huge round eyes. Teacher Luo’s daughters are smaller than the other kids in terms of both age and size. Dad said their small physiques are due to poor nutrition. They eat neither milk nor eggs. Cooking oil and meat are rare.

Teacher Luo believes it is okay to sacrifice money and nutrition as long as his children are receiving education.

Day Three, 6/21/2011, Tuesday Teacher Bufu Leetee, the only teacher at Zidu Elementary School, came over to Teacher Luo’s home in the early morning and took the three of 32

Friends of We Chinese in America

us, Teacher Luo, Dad and me, to his place for a visit. We didn’t expect that he wanted to treat us to a fantastic meal. In his mind, we probably weren’t going to visit him again for the duration of the trip, so he prepared some of the best foods he has: a fresh chicken and some smoked pork. In the villages on the mountains, people rarely eat meet. They kill pigs during the Yee New Year festival or on the very special occasion like Torch Festival. Villagers, big or small, will all share the pig meat. The family that owns the pig will also save some by smoking the meat. But Teacher Luo said that by this time of the year, not many families would still have any pork meat left. Teacher Luo has long run out of smoked pork. Teacher Luo has told us the smoked pork by Yee people is very special, and he had felt sorry that we would not have the opportunity to taste it. He was so happy and relieved when Teacher Bufu Leetee treated us with smoked pork!

Day Four, 6/22/2011, Wednesday When we arrived at Lailuo Elementary School today, the rain still poured and Teacher Li was preparing a fire to dry the kids off, right there on the ground in the classroom. The rain started to erode parts of the building so the

LIFE

teachers were getting worried. Donning my raincoat, I helped shovel pounds and pounds of mud that blocked the rainwater from draining out the side of the building. While standing near the campfire in the classroom, Dad got the kids to sing again.

This one girl, La’er Huoyi, 11-year old, was especially good.

Dad asked her to sing a few sentences of the Yee song “Going Home” that we learned last night with Teacher Luo. Here is the translation of the lyrics of the Yi song “Going Home”: “Before I had noticed, I came to a place far away, a very poor place; a place where people wear but a single shirt for three years and eat a single meal in three days. The world out here is very beautiful, but still, I miss my mother in the far distance. I recall mom’s teaching. I want to go home; go back to mom. I will take mom’s advice. I want to go home. I want to return to the side of dad, to learn his way to become a good man.

I want to go home. From now on, I will do my best to overcome all difficulties, to study hard, to improve myself, to take good care of mom and let her live a happy life ever after.”

Day Five, 6/23/2011, Thursday

As planned, we visited a grandma who takes care of her orphaned granddaughter and grandson. The three of them are very poor. The grandma used to be shoeless.

Dad bought a pair of shoes for the grandma. We also brought her some clothes donated by a group of young people in a Shanghai travel agency. Living in a dilapidated house lit with a dim ray from a crack in the roof and sharing with a horse, the grandma is seeing her life improving with the help of Mr. Hongbin Huang.

Teacher Luo is very knowledgeable yet modest. He thinks more of the responsibility as a teacher than of making money.

Although he has taught at the same school for 22 years, yet he is still a “non-government employed” or minban teacher, earning a total of ¥2040 RMB a year (equivalent of $317 USD).

Day Eight, 6/26/2011, Sunday The time finally came for us to say good-bye to Teacher Luo, his wife, and their three cute kids. Last night, Teacher Luo and his wife killed two chickens in order to cook us the last dinner. They killed two chickens because they were afraid their

Friends of We Chinese in America 33

LIFE

chickens were not big enough. Teacher Li and Teacher Bufu Leetee were also invited. Dad asked Teacher Luo to break their Yee tradition or custom by allowing us to form one circle only when having dinner. Dad said to him: “We are a family now.” Teacher Luo agreed. We sat in one big circle, eating, chatting, and laughing together ……

We got up early this morning because we needed about two hours to trek down the mountain. Teacher Luo and Teacher Bufu Leetee insisted on seeing us off all the way down the mountain to Donghe Town from where we came eight days ago. Mrs. Luo prepared breakfast for us and helped with hoisting the load on horseback. Dad and I hugged Teacher Luo and Teacher Bufu Leetee good-bye. I noticed their eyes were wet with unshed tears. s To read a complete version of the journal, please go to the following link: http://scott-hu.blogspot.com/2011/09/eight-day-life-experience-in-mountain.html

1

Friends of We Chinese in America

September 2012

LIFE

By May Yuan

“Ji, ji, ji . . .”

My parents got married in April 1937. Ten months later, in February 1938, my father’s airplane was shot down during an air battle against Japanese invasion of Nanjing. He was killed while parachuting down.

May Yuan: Holding a BA from Tunghai University, Taiwan, China; and MS in Library Science, University of Kentucky; worked as a librarian for nine years in Los Angeles; and in real estate for 36 years in San Diego

I heard my grandmother sobbing in the middle of the night. Sitting at the edge of the bed, she stared at a young man’s picture on the nightstand, murmuring something repeatedly, and dabbing her tears with a handkerchief. It was the time of the Chinese-Japanese war, and I, at six, was sharing a straw-topped bed with her in a rental house in Yuanling County, Hunan Province.

Many nights I would wake up, finding her doing the same thing, over and over again. Frozen in bed, I did not dare make a noise or move.

One day I could not help asking her a question.

Why did all the neighborhood kids have fathers and mothers, but I did not have mine? She told me my father was in heaven, and my mother was dead.

Not understanding what she said, I looked up to the sky, but found not a clue. When the war came to an end in 1945, Grandmother and I moved to Shanghai to live on a houseboat. On the way, we stopped at a countryside place in Huangpi County, Hubei Province. There, with someone’s help, she located a tiny shed and asked me to kowtow three times to it while weeping again and again, ji, ji, ji…. Years later I found out the shed sheltered my father’s coffin, preserved with lime, not yet buried underground.

Friends of We Chinese in America 35

LIFE

In Shanghai, we stayed in a large house in the Jingan District, an upscale residential area. Owned by Aunt Lancy, my father’s sister, the house had two three-story buildings. Grandmother and I shared one room in an extension of one of these buildings. One day someone came to see me. Lo and behold, it was my mother! I could not believe it. Hadn’t Grandmother told me she was dead? Well, here she was. To me, she looked like the most beautiful woman in the world. Tall and slim on high heels, she wore a fancy qipao (Chinese long dress) with silk stockings. Her face was perfectly made up; her coiffure showed one stray hair; her fingernails were painted brilliantly red. I was awed.

With Grandmother’s permission, she took me to see her father in a Shanghai hospital. My maternal grandfather, a doctor in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, preferred to stay in Shanghai for better medical care for

I grew up without knowing what kind of a person my dad was.

But I always felt proud that my dad was a very handsome pilot, regarded as a hero by my relatives, as the image captured in this snapshot.

his cancer. He was overjoyed to see me and gave me a fistful of dollar bills; later, we had dinner together before I was returned to my grandmother.

In 1949, as the Chinese civil war was about to come to an end, Aunt Lancy asked Grandmother to think about my future, since she could not take care of me forever. Grandmother agreed and began looking around for a place for me to stay. She took me to an orphanage for children of deceased Chinese air force veterans that was established by Madame Chiang Kai-shek. She did not like the place, for she felt the children there were not well taken care of. Then she thought to let her second oldest son, Yang De’en, to care for me. But Uncle De’en, an elder brother of my father, Yang Ji’en, an air force pilot who died in an air battle against the Japanese during the Chinese-Japanese war, believed that a young child like me should grow up with her mother.

My grandma was holding me, a baby girl who At this time, my mother had long since was born two days after her dad was killed. been married to her second husband, Wang Wenhua, my father’s best friend in the air force, and had moved from mainland China to Taiwan. But when Grandmother contacted her about this matter, she said she was no longer a member of the Yang family and had her own family to take care of. So no one in this whole world wanted me except Grandmother. In the end, however, my mother relented and, with her husband’s consent, agreed to take me under her wing. On May 30, 1949, I flew on an air force plane from Shanghai to Taiwan to join my mother.

In Taiwan, I eventually ended up studying in Tunghai UniverMy mother remained as a widow for three years, sity, where I enrolled in a work-study program to pay my way. I a traditional Chinese was sure my stepfather would not mind paying my tuition, but mourning period, before why not be self-supporting when one can?! remarrying

36 1 Friends FriendsofofWe WeChinese ChineseininAmerica America October 2012

LIFE SECTION

My parents had a sweet but very short married life

My father graduated from the Chinese Air Force Academy as a young pilot in 1937

After graduation, I decided to continue my studies in the United States, enrolling in the University of Kentucky because Uncle De’en was nearby. After obtaining my Master’s Degree in Library Science, I worked for nine years in the Los Angeles County Library in Pasadena. In 1972, my husband Bob decided to work in San Diego, where I could not get a library job. Three years later, my friend Marian said, “Let’s get a real estate license.” I said, “What for?” She said, “So we can sell houses.” We both got our licenses, but she decided to move to San Jose with her husband. Her house in Poway was my first listing, and the rest is history. After 36 years in this profession, I am still working hard at it. People ask me, “You are getting old. Why are you still working?” and I say, “I don’t feel old. I only feel like 43.” I love my work, and the best thing about it is that I make so many friends through it.

In November 2011, I went to Shanghai to see Aunt Lancy’s son and daughter in their house in the Jingan District. Aunt Lancy had passed away at the age of 103. The house still looked the same; her son and daughter occupied only a portion of the buildings, and the room Grandmother and I stayed in had become their dining

room. I had many, many joyous meals with my cousins, and they took time to take me to the Memorial Hall of the Chinese Air Force Martyrs in Nanjing. I found my father’s name, along with many others’, etched on a memorial monument. I bought a flower basket to put under the monument. He was killed when he was only 24 years old.

My cousins regarded him as their hero, and told me his story.

In April 1937, following his graduation from the Chinese Air Force Academy, my father married my mother during his three days’ vacation in Wuxi, and right after the wedding banquet, he went back to Nanjing to report for duty. Three months later the Chinese-Japanese war broke out, and on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, he took the mission to bomb the Japanese warship in the Shanghai area. On the following day, in an air battle against the Japanese over Nanjing, he knocked down two Japanese planes, but he was wounded, with both legs badly burned. In 1938, before his wound was completely healed, he insisted on going back to fight the invading Japanese. On the 8th of February 1938, he was up in the air again and shot down four Japanese airplanes.

He jumped out of his own plane when its oil tank caught fire, and while parachuting down the Japanese killed him with their machine guns, a violation of international law.

Two days after his death, I came into this world. s

With permission of The ELM, in which the article first appeared, and of the author.

We Friendsofof WeChinese ChineseininAmerica America 372 October 2012 Friends

LIFE

By Mortart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mr. Mortart is a former Washington correspondent and senior editor, Business Week; former Washington correspondent, Newhouse Newspapers; former associate editor, Forbes. Contributed to New York Times Magazine, New York Times Book Review, The New Republic, The New Leader, Columbia Journalism Review, Midstream, others. He resides in Florida.

According to a venerable borsht-circuit gag, the Jewish civilization began in 3,000 B.C., and the Chinese civilization began in 2,000 B.C., which proves that Jews can exist without eating Chinese food. The historical accuracy may be flawed, but the joke does underscore the curious passion that American Jews have developed for the Chinese cuisine.

That passion, of course, is shared by much of the Occidental world. The distinctive savoriness and varied textures of Chinese food, its sensual appeal, and the unique cooking techniques employed in Chinese kitchens to accentuate flavors and aromas have excited the Western pal38

Friends of We Chinese in America

ate and made Chinese cooking universally popular. But nowhere is the infatuation with the Chinese cuisine more intense than in the American Jewish community.

Chinese restaurateurs recognize this phenomenon, and their establishments have proliferated in the U.S. wherever there is a sizable Jewish population. The Chinese restaurant has become a durable fixture in most Jewish neighborhoods, almost as commonplace as a kosher butcher shop. The Jewish enchantment with Chinese food has also surfaced in Israel, where Chinese restaurants now compete against falafel stands, European-style delicatessens, and other outlets of traditional Jewish cooking.

Actually, there is no single standard Jewish cuisine.

Historically, Jews have borrowed the foods of the people among whom they dwell, modified in each case by the requirements of kashrut, the religious dietary laws. As a result, there are various styles of “Jewish cooking�: Easternand Central-European Ashkenazi types such as RussianJewish, Hungarian-Jewish and Romanian-Jewish, plus the Mediterranean or Sephardi-Jewish style of cooking.

Chinese cooking features ingredients and techniques that are alien to each of these. For example, the quick-searing and stir-frying cooking methods perfected by the Chinese create new dimensions of taste wholly dissimilar to the potted and stewed meats and vegetables with which most Jews are familiar. The subtle but profound nuances of flavor and aroma emphasized in Chinese food, the exotic

LIFE

vegetables and condiments, and the preoccupation with the textural effects and color of food are virtually unknown in the Jewish kitchen.

And yet the Jew finds that the lure of the exotic is eased by the touch of the familiar in the Chinese cuisine. Most significant, the Chinese rarely combine dairy and meat products, a practice prohibited by religious Jewish dietary laws. Omnipresent pots of tea invariably grace the tables of both the Chinese and the Jews. The two cuisines favor such common dishes as chicken broth with rice or noodles, and--with the exception of the Szechuan and Hunanese styles--both have a preference for mild seasonings.

Kreplach, a triangular or square dumpling containing chopped meat and usually served in soup, which is a popular Eastern-European Jewish delicacy, is a first cousin to wontons, a Cantonese miniature dumpling used in soup or is deep-fried and eaten as a snack. The taste of stuffed cabbage, another Eastern-European Jewish favorite, resembles the array of sweet and sour dishes prepared by the Chinese. In addition, the noodles or luckshen, which figure prominently in Jewish food, have a counterpart in Chinese lo mein.

Going beyond considerations of the table, those seeking explanations for the Jewish passion for Chinese food might find special meanings in certain cultural values shared by both peoples: the strong family structure, the respect for learning, the powerful work ethic.

There are even intriguing historical links between the Chinese and the Jews. The first Jews, probably merchants from Persia, visited and settled in China around the year 1,000. Their descendants, Oriental in appearance and bearing Chinese names, continued to practice the Jewish religion. In the 13th Century, Marco Polo found several influential Jews at the court of Kubla Khan.

Four centuries later, a Jewish mandarin rebuilt a synagogue in the city of Kaifeng, which had been originally constructed hundreds of years earlier. Built like two adjacent Buddhist temples, the synagogue fell into disuse as the community disappeared during the 18th and 19th Centuries. An exquisite model of the Kaifeng synagogue now stands in Beit Hafutzot, the Museum of the Diaspora in Tel Aviv.

Although such bits of historical and sociological evidence demonstrate that there is a cultural affinity between the Chinese and Jewish peoples, it is highly unlikely that any of these factors have had a profound culinary impact.

The Jewish love for Chinese food is essentially an American phenomenon. It has probably been fostered by the ease with which the intricacies of the Chinese cuisine can be adapted to religious Jewish dietary rules. s Friends of We Chinese in America 39

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SINCE I DO A LOT of light tech support for friends, I’m privy to many of their passwords. In general, their choices are terrible. Like really really terrible.

These are smart people who should be aware of the consequences of weak cyber security but they invariably use passwords like “password444” or “lastnameBIRTHYEAR.” If I can guess your password within ten tries, it’s pathetic. Please don’t use the site name in the password either. “gmail1234” is never a good idea.

Sometimes people think capitalizing things will make a difference. Um, not really. You’ll just confuse yourself. Spelling words backwards is no good either. A handy skill for that one category in your cranium but bad for passwords. The number one whine I hear when I call out people’s crappy passwords? “I have to make it easy because otherwise I can’t remember them.”

I could rant for a long time about this but I’ll let it go. Basically, if your best reason for having a six year old password is that you can’t remember them, you have a brain problem. “I named my child Nine because it was just easier. I can’t remember which one she is otherwise.” If you can remember all the first and last names of every 1990’s sitcom character, you can remember your passwords.

Don’t undersell your human intelligence.

Passwords are the key to the most important portal of your life: the Internet. If things get lost or misremembered, you’re screwed. In order to avoid this catastrophe, what you need is a password system, or matrix, that allows you to recreate your passwords without draining your memory reserves. Let me help you by suggesting one. First, you need three passwords. Actually, forget that, you need five. The modern person needs at least five passwords.

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Throwaway (for sign ups to random things, spam email accounts) Generic (social networks, Dropbox, frequent flier accounts, Wifi router) Sites (that require credit cards (Netflix, Paypal, Amazon, eBay) Personal (personal email, FTP, blogs) Top Level (secret journals, bank accounts, emails to your other lover) For the throwaway password, you can make that whatever you want. Hang on to the password you’ve used since 1999, for old time’s sake if you want, I don’t care. The other four, you need to pick things that are related to one another.

One of my friends picks movie quotes to create an acronym.

I support that. It makes for long text strings that make no sense but are still easy to remember. You have to add some numbers to your password, too. Use a sequence that can flow nicely into the next password. Multiples of something, prime numbers, digits of pi, whatever.

Example: “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” would become “mniimykmfptd314159.”

The next password on the chain would be “ybmdad2653589” “You’ve been mostly dead all day” plus more pi digits. Or just use part of a long quote for each password, and continue the sentences on through.

The actual passwords don’t matter, as long as you can quickly recreate the matrix when needed. Famous phrases, song verses, things people say about you behind your back, anything like that works. Maybe you don’t remember the password to your Tumblr but a quick Google search for Princess Bride quotes and the sequence of prime numbers account and voila, all your passwords are recreated, ready for use. Then you crumple up the note and stuff it down your throat, because you don’t want anyone else to see it.

While I can’t guarantee that you won’t be hacked or have your accounts stolen with this method, I can guarantee that you won’t have dumb passwords that you forget in moments of crisis. My take home points are these: (1) Have more than

k

one password and re-use them on similarly themed sites.

(2) Create passwords that are loosely connected and easily re-creatable once the decoder ring is applied. (3) Hand me your computer so I can hack my way through it and find out if your passwords are lame. It’s a service, not a violation.

In addition, I nominate October 10th as national password day. Everyone gets the day off from work in order to change passwords. The 10/10 will be a nice reference to binary code and remind us that cyber security is just as important as Memorial Day or Labor Day or Presidents’ Day. More important actually, Encryption Day should be two days, 1010 through 1013. Clear your calendars. s

Friends of We Chinese in America 41

COMMUNITY

In their most recent performance for San Diego Symphony on October 6, 2012, the Blue Ming Chinese Dancers captivated the honorable guests at OPUS with their thrilling renditions of “Red Ribbon” and “Sword Dance” as well as the artistic storytelling of “Women of Slender Waists” and “Farewell My Concubine.”

In the last two years, a team of passionate Chinese dancers has assembled to bring a taste of traditional Chinese culture to San Diego.

Starting with just three individuals, the Blue Ming Chinese Dance Company has grown to a troupe of near twenty members, each bringing her own style and expertise to the group.

Blue Ming makes sure that their performances are as diverse as China itself. The dances transport audiences from a Beijing Opera house to a yurt in the Mongolian grasslands, from Tibetan mountains to Uyghur vineries, from the cold Northeast region to the tropical Miao villages in the South, with classical, traditional, and ethnic dance styles, music, and costumes.

Blue Ming has a large repertoire and is constantly developing new performances that will entertain any audience for a variety of events. Since its beginning in 2010, Blue Ming has performed for audiences in many venues including the San Diego Opera, San Diego Symphony, Mingei International Art Museum in Balboa Park, the United States Marine Corps, Promise2Kids, Asian Business Association Gala, Del Mar Fairgrounds, and San Diego International Dance Festival.

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Friends of We Chinese in America

COMMUNITY

Blue Ming is available for business and private events and will tailor their dances to meet your needs. Their performances range from solo dance to group performances. Blue Ming has a wide variety of performance styles from folk dance like “Three Butterflies” to the storytelling performance of “The Beauties of the Warrior State.” Their ability and willingness to remain original while going that extra mile have won them an enviable reputation from both audiences and the sponsors.

Blue Ming welcomes applications from dancers who are seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in Chinese art, culture and folk dance. Chinese folk dance is a great way to learn about the deep cultural heritage of the many Chinese minority groups and a great way to stay slim and flexible.

To book a performance for your own honored guests or to make inquiries about joining the Blue Ming Chinese Dance Company, please contact Patricia Lippert, Artistic Director. s Friends of We Chinese in America 43

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ART

Katherine started her piano lessons when she was six years old

By Jeff W. Kaemmerling PHOTOS ARE COURTESY OF MIKHAIL DVOSKIN & BY PATRICIA LIPPERT

T

o find something so warm as the passion for beautiful music in the cold and harsh snow of Siberia, is not only a rare happenstance, but also something to cherish. Katherin Petrosyan, one of San Diego’s finest musicians, did exactly that. Katherin grew up in the fantastic fairyland of the Opera & Ballet Theater in her native Siberia. Since her mother, the principal cellist in the orchestra, and her father, the opera director, did not have a babysitter, they would take Katherin along with them to practices and rehearsals. Within the Theater, there was a magic that Katherin fell in love with. She can still recall hearing, as she wandered down the many hallways of the opera house, the mesmerizing echoes of orchestral music. It is no surprise that, growing up in this musical wonderland, Katherin began the arduous journey of mastering the piano at age six. She has since studied under various teachers in different music schools. While having the advantage of coming from a family with a grand music tradition, Katherin encountered challenges and failures in her path, but eventually she was rewarded with success.

She graduated from Moscow State College with a Bachelor of Piano Performance in 2003, then again in 2008 with a Master in Piano Performance at the Maimonides State Academy of Classical Art studying under the internationally respected pianist, Victor Derevia, who was himself a student of the famed piano pedagogue, Heinrich Neuhaus. Under the internationally acclaimed Victor Derevianko (student of famed piano pedagogue, Heinrich Neuhaus). Since then, she has gone on

46 Friends of We Chinese in America

to receive numerous honors in international piano competitions in Lithuania, Tel-Hai (Israel), and in the Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Moscow. She also has concertized across Russia, Armenia, Lithuania, Israel, and the United States and.

As if international competitions were not enough, Katherin has performed in many prestigious locations such as like the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, the Rachmaninov Hall of Moscow, and the International Music Hall of Svetlanov in Moscow. Katherin was also offered an accompanist position by the worldrenowned Bolshoi Ballet prior to her relocation to the United States.

Mikhail Dvoskin is the other half of this musical powerpair. When he was four, Mikhail decided he wanted to be a violinist. Although his parents were not musicians, they supported him every step of the way. A memorable event was when they took Mikhail to the quadrennial Tchaikovsky Competition and attended all three tours of it. His parents then found an excellent teacher, who helped Mikhail grow into the successful professional he is today. Throughout his teaching and performing career, he acknowledges that his success is, in great part, due to that very mentor. In 2002, Mikhail graduated from Moscow State College with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and went on to obtain his Master in Violin Performance from Maimonides State Academy of Classical Art in 2007. He has performed in a number of internationallyrenowned radio and television orchestras, and was previously

SECTION SECTION

Mikhail with Katherin after a recording

a member of the Russian State Symphony Orchestra. While in the Orchestra, Mikhail had the privilege of performing under world-class conductors like Gennady Rozhdestevensky, Maxim Shostakovich, and Valery Polyansky. Mikhail has also toured in England, the Czech Republic, and Spain at the London Royal Albert Hall, Prague Philharmonic Hall, and for the Spanish Royal Family, respectively.

Mikhail and Katherin met in college, and have played their piano/violin duet ever since. The couple used their talents of both music and education to expand their horizons to meet the needs inherent in the world of music that they had come to love so much. A critical time came when Katherin won the lottery in getting an American Green Card two weeks before their wedding. After a grueling decision-making process, they took a huge leap - she and Mikhail decided to move to the United States. With the help and advice from close friends, the couple has been able to manage all obstacles, cultural or otherwise, without losing stride. Both Mikhail and Katherin believe that, with enough hard work, people can achieve everything they dream of. They have frequently cited this belief as the source of inspiration through this tumultuous transition.

Since settling down in San Diego, Mikhail has found a position at the Bishop’s School teaching music, and Katherin currently performs in the orchestras of many local institutions, such as Point Loma Nazarene University, the University of San Diego, and the University of California at San Diego. She is also an

accompanist for the Grossmont College and East Village Community Church of San Diego.

Katherin and Mikhail, however, still maintain their passion for teaching. In their private studio, Katherin conducts piano lessons and Mikhail conducts violin lessons for their students.

In spite of their busy schedules, this amazing couple still finds time to regularly perform together.

Students of both Mikhail and Katherin praise their saintlike patience, high standards, and teaching expertise, as well as their flexibility with scheduling in between the student’s myriad extracurricular activities. Many have worked through the initial apprehension of starting out on a new instrument and then seen visible improvement in their performance in their school orchestras or bands. The students’ lessons have been known to include pieces ranging from Mozart to Mendelssohn, and all approached by Katherin and Mikhail with care and determination. They often stay after hours and over lesson time to ensure that the student understands the material completely. While Mikhail and Katherin have enjoyed teaching since their arrival in San Diego, they have learned that teaching in a different culture means learning how to teach a different type of students. The approach to music education in Russia is quite different from that in the U.S. For instance, Russian music education considers most disciplines of music such as theory and history to be mandatory, while some schools in Friends of We Chinese in America 47

ART SECTION

America may consider them optional. Another disparity lies in how the students view their lessons. Students in America may only take a lesson and practice once a week, without truly exploring the depths of what that instrument can do or how music can sound. Mikhail and Katherin believe that students need to be capable of, no matter where they are from, learning how to listen; listening to the subtle differences in sound and how the sound stirs up different feelings.

With this knowledge instilled in them from an early age in their career, Mikhail and Katherin pride themselves on offering a private music school that provides these disciplines that seem to be lacking in U.S. public music education. These disciplines are necessary in the full development of the practitioner and the extraction of every ounce of talent for their full potential. The musician/teacher couple believes that it is very important for a child to recognize their own talents and then cultivate it with hard, hard work. In their opinion, the most important factor for success usually has these elements: hard and smart work, responsibilities for your own mistakes, and a love for what you do. With this philosophy, Mikhail and Katherin happily enjoy not only performing on the regular music circuit, but teaching young students to become the next generation of impassioned and accomplished musicians. s

• Classically Trained Russian Violinist and Pianist • Violin, Piano Lessons, Technique and Style Training, and Music Theory • Preparation for Exams, Auditions, and Performances • All Ages. All Levels

48 Friends of We Chinese in America

COMMUNITY

By Judy Berman Silbert

Betzi Roe, Festival Director

O

f all the cultural connections that exist among the various ethnic groups in San Diego, the common link through dance is the most unique. Dance provides the best insight into a culture’s history and heritage. Alison Cutri’s exploration of the cultural dance communities of San Diego began in 1993. As the General Manager of the San Diego Dance Alliance, she hoped that by learning about and experiencing the many cultures of San Diego she could encapsulate the cultural richness of the region. Her search in schools, homes, heritage festivals, religious celebrations, and communities distilled into something singular and intimate that clearly reflected the international dance scene that thrives in San Diego.

Cutri, along with Betzi Roe (then President of the San Diego Dance Alliance Board), and the San Diego Repertory Theatre worked together to bring the first Nations festival to the stage. Nations debuted at the Lyceum Theatre in Horton Plaza. The community welcomed and supported the festival immediately, and Nations rapidly grew in size and prestige. Audiences

eagerly anticipated the event each year. However, in 2006, the San Diego Dance Alliance closed its doors, also bringing down the curtain on Nations. Then in 2008 Betzi Roe stepped onto center stage.

It is not surprising that Betzi, with the support of the Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) Foundation, spearheaded the revival of Nations in 2008. Betzi lives and breathes dance and the arts. As the Director of the Dance Department at CoSA, she trains blossoming dancers and produces original works that allow her students to stretch their creative wings and to work with interdisciplinary arts professionals from throughout the region. In 1972 she co-founded one of San Diego’s original modern dance companies, 3’s Company & Dancers, and performed and choreographed with them for over a decade. Later, she became a solo dancer and toured regionally and internationally. Picking up the gauntlet to continue Nations proved a no brainer. Betzi and the Coronado School of the Arts Foundation shared the belief that Nations not only provides an amazing collaborative experience for CoSA students (each year CoSA dancers train with one ethnic dance group and Friends of We Chinese in America 49

COMMUNITY

China - Blue Ming Chinese Dance Company

India - Arpana Dance Co.

China - Moonlight Chinese Dance Co.

Brazil - Nos de Chita

Hawaii - Pualani Hawaiian Dancers 50 Friends of We Chinese in America

perform at the school day performance for a sold-out crowd of students from around the county), but that it also fulfils an important cultural need in the community.

“From the first festival in 1993, the goal was to showcase the cultural diversity in the San Diego region and the dance forms that symbolize that diversity,” says Betzi. “Even avid travelers may not have the fortune to witness many of the dances audiences see at Nations. For example, Korean solo dancer, Hearan Chung, performed a story-dance about the soul hoping to find its way to heaven, while Nos de Chita wove their folkloric dances and rhythms of Brazil into a lively theatrical suite. Nations exposes us to a world of dance we would otherwise never experience.”

The festival not only gives audiences the opportunity to travel the world through dance and music, it allows the performers to communicate and collaborate. Each year twenty or more dance companies showcase unique dance styles as well as the talent and creativity of individual dancers. The program also includes a brief, informal demonstration.

“I like audiences to witness how rhythms translate from

COMMUNITY

Middle East - Raks el Anwar

Mexico - Sabor Mexico Dance Co.

Ireland - Malone Academy of Irish Dance

one culture to another,” says Betzi. “For example, last year a drummer demonstrated a typical Arabic rhythm, then four dancers representing Spain, China, India and Africa took turns improvising to that beat in their own traditional styles. This immediately and beautifully showed how the arts connect us and offer a mutual language.”

San Diegans Show Ethnic Roots Through Dance Most of the Nations performers are not professional dancers, but they dedicate long hours to learning traditional dances and to practice. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, postal workers and parents are all part of the vibrant ethnic dance community in San Diego. Each group takes pride in presenting very authentic dances with stunning costumes and professional level performances.

“Nations gives these performers such a great opportunity to show their work in a Western proscenium arch theatre,” says Betzi.

“Their art form reaches an untapped audience – many of the groups make connections at Nations that lead to future performances and more exposure outside of traditional communities. It’s a win, win situation for the audiences and the dancers.”

Nations 2013: A Focus on Latin America The festival showcases 15 different cultures throughout the weekend and highlights the unique ethnic dance traditions that flourish in San Diego. Last year, Nations focused special attention on the growing Chinese dance community here. Four Chinese dance groups were featured: Blue Ming Chinese Dance Company, Moonlight Chinese Dance Association, San Diego Chinese Folk Dance Ensemble and SilkRoad Dancers of San Diego. Nations 2013 will train the spotlight on dances from Latin America to celebrate San Diego’s important connection to the border and the Hispanic culture. Nations offers the passion, magic and beauty of the world in one weekend of dance. Prepare to be amazed. s Nations 2013 will take place Friday, February 8th, Saturday, February 9th, and Sunday, February 10th, at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue Coronado. We invite all to come and enjoy. For tickets or more information about the event, visit

www.nationsdancefestival.com

Friends of We Chinese in America 51

ART

Jorlly Chang has come to love two things in life: Legos & Halo.

He enjoys recreating the adveture that lay in the stories of Halo, through playing with Legos.

By Jorlly Chang

The creative youth contests at the San Diego County Fair have been a very exciting chance to show my LEGO creations.

I love Legos and I love Halo. Halo is an awesome video game that’s about an epic war between humans and super high-tech aliens. Legos, like Halo, give me a way to express my creativity while learning and having fun!

My most prized creation is the Pelican, a huge

By Matthew Ai

52

Friends of We Chinese in America

drop-ship equipped with a troop bay and chain guns!

My second best creation is my off-road truck with a motor and is equipped with three-foot long trailers, for a total four feet.

Last year I found a Lego club. I think having friends to build with is much better than working alone. When we build together, we share ideas, which often helps us to create more complex models.

I have had so much fun and interesting times with Legos throughout the years, and now I even have a group of friends to practice with. I am definitely a stubborn kid, and if something won’t work a certain way then I try and find a way around it. That’s really important when building with Legos, because you may not always have the block you need to make your creation perfect, but you got to do it somehow.

I began to play with Lego-like blocks as a toddler, from then on, every Christmas and on my birthdays my parents bought me Lego sets as gifts. Building with Legos is not always fun and games, because there can always be that dreaded “missing piece(s)”. This happened to me with my San Diego County Fair entry, but I built the piece I needed by putting many smaller pieces together.

ART

By Carissa Chang I have been fascinated with the art of Origami since I was five year’s old. As a kindergartener, my first origami boat was quite sloppy and uneven. But each origami boat I made afterwards was firmer, straighter, and more perfect. Throughout the years I became a better origami artist. This year I decided to pursue it all the way into the Creative Youth Competition hosted by San Diego County Fair. I learned the 3D-origami concept on YouTube. I was even awarded “Best of Show” for my 3Dorigami peacock.

I owe most of my skill and ability to my mother, who has all the patience and love in the world. She learned Origami in her youth because she had nothing else to play with, and was wonderful enough to pass her knowledge on to me, and breathe some passion into it. I’m thankful to have a creative outlet that can teach me a lot.

Carissa Chang has been entranced with the art of Origami

ever since she was five years old. She was awarded “Best of Show” for her beautiful 3D-origami peacock.

Matthew Ai says he’s “definitely a stubborn kid”, and if he hits a roadblock with Legos, he’ll keep trying.

Friends of We Chinese in America 53

ART

By Irene Hou (6th Grade) A Tsuga Canadensis leaf sprouting, Emerging into a thousand glistening green pencils, An Umbellularia Californica leaf budding, Blossoming into a striking orange arrow whooshing by, An Acer Saccharum leaf maturing, Becoming a vivid red sea-star, Different.

Diversity is…

A snowy owl as still as can be, Like a spy prepared to attack, A deer bounding through the woods, Like a gymnast performing tricks, A bear lumbering across a clearing, Like a police officer handing over a ticket, Different.

Diversity is…

When you believe in fairies, And someone else believes in dragons, It is when you want to be a poet, And someone else wants to be an astronaut, It is when you dream of having a dog, And someone else dreaming of learning to play the guitar.

Plants, animals, and people are all the same really, Because we all are different.

“My friends call me Bookworm because I absolutely love reading.

When I’m sad, I read, when I’m happy, I read, and when I’m bored, I read. I read whenever I have time, (sometimes even during class, oops!) Books are like my wings that take me to a world of my own.

The book The Girl Who Could Fly is my favorite. Just imagine the whoosh of the wind whistling past your ears... But I can fly, too! Well, at least when I’m reading and writing. I love how you can create a story, draw a picture, or direct a movie; It’s hard, but then you can share your fascinating world with millions of others. Isn’t that awesome? I am pretty sure I will see you again when I publish my first book in the near future.”

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Friends of We Chinese in America

Lively Irene Hou describes herself as a “… bookworm, because I absolutely love reading”.

She’s enchanted with the creative process of a making story, picture, or movie. We cannot help but tip our hats to the parents of these children, who have lovingly cultivated each young artiste’s creative abilities.

ART

Charles Yu came into this world as a particularly precious

baby to his parents.

He started writing poems at age 12, and is influenced by 19th century poets.

By Charlie Yu (14 years old) 04/20/2011

She gave me a piece of paper And told me to write or draw I said I’d do it later But for her it was the last straw She said to add something to represent myself I chose to add nothing to show my sense of self She yelled for me to enter and to explain myself Why nothing was in the center Not friends, not food, nor wealth I said my potential had yet to be seen then she pointed at parental chance to intervene Why had I not painted of my parent’s dreams for me?

I’d sighed a tainted sigh for none to see and proceeded to explain how my parents are not me I’m far too proud to fight for borrowed dreams I will not use achievements, not mine, to patch up these frayed seams I am who I am, not who I was meant to be So I rest not on what my mother did, or how great my father could be

The young poet, Charles Yu, was born in 1996 in San Diego when his father was in his 40s. Hence he was, as baby, particularly precious to the him. As a poet, he inherited his passion from his father and humanity from his kind mother, whereas his talents are the best result of mixture from both parents. He started to write poems as his school projects when he was 12. Charles, as a young poet, was influenced by quite a few 19th century poets such as Edgar Allan Poe.

Friends of We Chinese in America 55

ART

Porta(i)l Chasing

By Mi

chael

Yu

i Che an & T

n Fen

g

It’s All Been Done

Michael Yuan was born in Pasadena and grew up in San Diego. He graduated from veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania in 1997 and now practices in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and two cats. Cat Boxes is a loosely autobiographical comic started in 2008; new strips can be seen online every Sunday at http://catboxes.comicdish.com

Crossing The Lime

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Friends of We Chinese in America

CULTURE

This common Chinese idiom points out the mistake people make when they fail to look at the big picture of a situation. In English, this phrase translates to “The blind men feel the elephant�. The individual in the picture can only feel a small part of the large elephant and thus come to different conclusions as to what an elephant really is like not realizing that the elephant is made up of the different parts fit together in a much more complex and holistic concept, an elephant.

Friends of We Chinese in America 57

BUSINESS

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