As a child, did you have to wonder why your name for your grandpa was different from what your cousins called your grandpa? Then when you thought about it even further, you realized that you used a different term for your cousins on your mother’s side and your cousins on your father’s side. Come to think of it, there were even separate terms for your mother’s sister and your father’s sister.
If you’ve experienced this (and then some), its probably safe to say that you’re referring to the complicated Chinese family tree. Watch as Off The Great Wall tries to explain the details of the family tree. Trust us, this video will certainly make you appreciate the simplicity of terms like “grandma”, “uncle”, and “sister-in-law”.
With the crowd snaked around the corner at the Landmark Nuart on a Friday night, the anticipation was building for filmmaker Linda Goldstein Knowlton and the line of people who consisted of many families with young Asian daughters that came to see the opening of the documentary, Somewhere Between. This film is a personal journey that follows the lives of four teen girls who were adopted from China and raised by Caucasian families in different parts of the U.S. Unlike many documentaries, the director took the POV directly from the girls, as no one could tell the story better than each of these remarkably strong and courageous gals.
“I am making this film for everyone. For the girls, so they can see their experiences in connection with each other, and for everyone who grapples with issues of race, culture, identity, and being ‘different’,” explains Knowlton.
Enter Jenna, Haley, Ann and Jenni – four girls who have unique yet different tales to tell about their adoption and fitting in with their family and society, their struggles with identity and their curiosity with the possible search for their biological families. You’ll see their strengths and weaknesses and how being adopted into a Caucasian family has affected their perspective on being American.
This film is currently screening across multiple cities in the U.S., from the east coast to the west coast. Check out their website for current dates and locations – www.somewherebetweenmovie.com. And take tissues, no, grab a box because there will be tears of joy and excitement.
While so many celebrities are famous for no good reason, Mara Measor stands out as a girl with real talent. This actress, singer-songwriter, and musician is a triple threat with something to prove.
Since I can remember I’ve always been eating my Nai Nai’s (dad’s mom’s) cooking. She’s now over 95 years old and continues to be incredible, bustling around and constantly feeding me. I recently spent time at home and my most important mission during my visit was to spend time with her learning how to cook the dishes I had grown up loving. Like most chefs, my Nai Nai does not believe in exact measurements. “Just look at it,” she says “Taste it,”—and that’s how I learned to make the necessary adjustments. So, for those who prefer more precise measurements, here are two of my Nai Nai’s recipes quantified.
It’s not often that you come across an Asian American Christian rapper. But Gowe (Gifted on West East) is unique for reasons greater than the myriad of adjectives that describe his background.
I’ve never really been a fan of wearing traditional Chinese garb. Perhaps it was due to my stint as a Miss LA Chinatown court member, where I had to strut around in an uncomfortably tight qipao or maybe it’s because wearing them in America makes me feel antiquated and takes me back to those days when being Chinese meant being discriminated against and made fun of (metaphorically speaking, of course. I wasn’t around in the 50′s or 60′s).
But Akufuncture– a Chinese culture inspired clothing brand that draws inspiration from the historical Imperial Palace to create looks for a contemporary audience– makes wearing Chinese-inspired attire cool again.
Olivia’s Spring covershoot was just as fun as the celeb herself. From singing Disney tunes in the dressing room to dancing to 90′s hip hop, Munn kept our spirits up with her endless streams of LOL quips. The photos are gorgeous (as you already saw) but the video’s even more awesome! (Cause Olivia talks and moves and her hair blows in the wind and stuff) Check it out below:
It’s June and that means the official start to wedding season! Now, if you’re anywhere near to getting married, you’re probably running around like decapitated poultry. So while I can’t help you with your quarreling bridesmaids, your in-law-to-be’s insistence on inviting your third cousin twice-removed and their truckload of screaming tots, or wrapping party favors, I can tip you off to the cutest little cake toppers ever.
Asian American artist YuYu custom makes these adorable cake toppers, any ethnicity, any outfit. Check out some of her custom combos:
YuYu Art Cutie Couple -- Filipina bride and Korean groom.
Cutie Couple in traditional Chinese wear.
Kimono Cutie.
Korean bride and Filipino groom.
Wanna include your dog? No problem. Glasses? Long hair? A special dress? Get creative! Check out more creative combos here. To custom order your own Cutie Couple, go to YuYu Art.
To continue the celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), Verizon Wireless presents a five-city concert tour featuring Chinese and Taiwanese musical artists Van Ness Wu, JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu and Mike Relm (most of whom also happen to be Asian American!), starting this Thursday, May 20, in Seattle.
Verizon Wireless presents the APA Heritage Month Concert Tour, featuring Van Ness Wu, Evonne Hsu, JJ Lin and Mike Relm.
And it’s not just a concert. The stars will also be making an appearance at local Verizon Wireless stores nationwide where they will be greeting fans and signing autographs, just for you!
From Seattle, the tour moves on to New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and finally Los Angeles on May 29. Check out the teaser video here (and keep reading to see the videos from each of the performers).
Through the APAHM Concert Celebration Tour, (its third annual event), Verizon Wireless continues its effort to support and celebrate the contributions of the Asian American community. (More than 8 percent of its employee base is Asian or Asian American descent, according to Verizon.)
The APAHM Concert Celebration Tour includes the following events throughout May:
Seattle:
Van Ness Wu.
- Thursday, May 20: Autograph signing with Van Ness Wu and Evonne Hsu, in the Seattle University Verizon Wireless Store
- Friday, May 21: Concert featuring Van Ness Wu, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in Seattle
New York:
- Sunday, May 23: Concert featuring Van Ness Wu, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in New York
- Monday, May 24: Autograph signing with Van Ness Wu and Evonne Hsu in Flushing, NY, at Verizon Wireless Authorized Retailer HiPoint Wireless
Video mixer Mike Relm.
Washington, D.C.:
- Tuesday, May 25: Autograph signing with JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in the Germantown, MD, Verizon Wireless Store
- Wednesday, May 26: Concert featuring JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in Washington, D.C.
San Francisco:
- Thursday, May 27: Concert featuring JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in San Francisco
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JJ Lin.
Friday, May 28: Autograph signing with JJ Lin and Evonne Hsu, in the San Francisco Market Street Verizon Wireless Store
Los Angeles:
- Saturday, May 29: Concert featuring JJ Lin, Evonne Hsu, and Mike Relm in Los Angeles
- Sunday, May 30: Autograph signing with JJ Lin and Evonne Hsu, in the Los Angeles Puente Hills Verizon Wireless Store
When you go to the autograph signing session, don’t forget to bring your no-longer-used wireless phones for recycling through the company’s HopeLine® program and for a chance to win an autographed concert T-shirt from the featured artists. HopeLine is Verizon Wireless’ phone recycling and re-use program that supports domestic violence prevention agencies, including more than 20 organizations in the Bay Area.
For more information on the APAHM Concert Celebration Tour, visit www.verizoninsider.com/apahm. To see more of the videos from the stars, scroll down.
