Year of the rabbit

A happy Lunar New Year to those who are celebrating. I had a wonderful dinner this past Saturday with my immediately family, hot pot style. I don’t always go back to my parents’ house for dinner, but when I do, it’s the traditional year-end dinner on the night before Lunar New Year. The dinner symbolizes togetherness, a renewal of familial bonds. It’s practically the Asian version of American Thanksgiving. It’s that important and special.

Of course, there’s money in those little red envelopes for the kids. Imagine getting money from your parents for Thanksgiving? Oh wait, that’s called Christmas.

Unfortunately, the holiday spirit was dampened tremendously on the day of Lunar New Year. Horrific news out of Monterey Park - a predominantly Asian enclave in Southern California - of a mass shooting with 10 people dead. A 72-year old Asian male opened fire into a dance hall Saturday evening, just as folks are gathering to celebrate the incoming new year. That male is now dead, having shot himself after a standoff with police on Sunday.

The sadness and anxiety is through the roof for Asian Americans. We can’t feel safe anywhere. Since the pandemic started we’ve witness massive uptick in armed robbery, elder abuse, and home invasions against the Asian community. With this latest incident, it seems we cannot feel secure even in our community centers, from our own people.

I have latent anxiety for my mom who goes to Chinatown every single week. Nothing has happen thus far, thank god (and knock on wood), but I never feel truly safe about it. There’s no reason that Asian Americans - or any American - have to live like this. What a sad state of affairs.

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Pink Floyd-ish.

Asian excellence

The annual Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco was this past Saturday. I’ve lived in San Francisco since 1996, and not once have I attended the festivities - as a spectator. One year during high school I was part of the color guard team leading the parade. It was a cold and rainy night, and we marched behind SFPD mounted on horses. Said horses would poop on the street right in front of us from time to time. We literally had to march around those natural landmines while maintaining strict composure. Fun times.

This year, a friend wanted to attend the parade to have content for his Youtube channel. He bought bleacher seats situated right at the end of the parade route - on Kearny and Jackson - next to the VIP judging section. I didn’t realize one had to pay for seating to attend the parade. Of course, there’s plenty of free standing room along the entire route. Enterprising people would get there early and plop down a portable stool.

We were quite enterprising ourself: we got to Chinatown way earlier than necessary. In doing so we didn’t have to detour (and get stuck in traffic) because they haven’t closed down the streets yet for the parade. We parked at the historic Chinatown Hilton hotel for $16 flat fee, then went to explore the street fair on Grant Ave that was also happening the same weekend. It was a sunny afternoon, atypically great weather because it usually rains during the Chinese New Year Parade. Thanks. global warming?

The parade itself was spectacular and surprisingly long. It’s one thing to watch on television, but to be able to see absolutely everything in person is a completely difference experience. Being next to the judges’ pavilion meant every participant stopped and performed in front of us, which was nice. $50 to sit where we sat might be a bit expensive, but I think it’s totally worth it to do it once. The atmosphere is wonderful; super heart-warming to see Asian culture on display.

Afterwards we walked around Chinatown some more. Revelers were lighting up (probably illegal) fireworks and firecrackers on just about every intersection of Grant Ave. A fitting aural tribute to the Lunar New Year celebration.

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I think it’s time they change the new to Lunar New Year Parade.

Spring cleaning time

Lunar New Year is next Tuesday, so you know what that means: I have to clean house and get a haircut before then. Good news is my in-law studio apartment is relatively tiny, so a bit of spring cleaning should be quite easy. I’m the type of person to dust my floors every other day, so that should give you an idea how much work I actually have to do before the auspicious holiday.

I will have to deep clean the bathroom. Primarily the few months’ worth of soap and water stain accumulation in the shower/bathtub. Whoever is first to invent a shampoo and body wash that, when used, will also clean the shower walls (when the suds are flung) should get the Nobel Peace Prize.

But at least I only have one bathroom! I wouldn’t want to be my friend who recently moved in to a two-bed two-bath unit. To live by herself. Imagine having to do the spring cleaning for that space! Or even just keeping it tidy on the regular. Good thing we live in an age of robotic vacuums. And said friend also make enough money to pay for a monthly housekeeper. No need for manual labor when you can afford to throw money at the problem!

It is a lovely place though. Such a vast apartment for one person makes me wonder whether or not I would want such a space. Honestly it would be ideal to have at least a one-bedroom, to have defined and separate spaces (living room, kitchen and whatnot). That said I’m pretty satisfied with the studio I have now. It’s got everything I need, all in one room (plus a bathroom).

Whenever I travel to Asia and rent in one of the typically tiny apartments, I’ve always wished there was such a thing here in the States. The efficient use of space is something to admire, driven by sheer population density and high real estate prices. Turns out, that’s sort of what I have now: a tiny apartment with all the features. I’ve even mimicked another feature of Asia: walkability to almost everything. There’s a mall a few blocks from where I live with all the shops I’ll ever need.

I really don’t even need to own a car. Not that I’ll ever do that…

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Not a bad view, too.