AMF & Friends Happy Hour

Yesterday after my internship at Center for Asian Health, I attended a Happy Hour event hosted by Asian Mosaic Fund (AMF). I was invited to an AMF gathering last semester and liked the people there. Aside from philanthropic giving, I want to get more involved and connect with the Asian American community in Philadelphia. The happy hour was hosted at Johnnie Walker Lounge in Chinatown Square, and attendees got to learn more about AMF and enjoy discounts on food and drinks. The event also highlighted the work of past grantee organization Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC). Continue reading

Cynthia Gouw

Cynthia Gouw, actress and TV news anchor, made a visit to the Greater Philadelphia Cantonese Academy at Rosemont College on Saturday April 8 to talk about her life and career. I happen to have a friend (non-Bryn Mawr) who takes Cantonese classes there, and she informed me of the event. Curious to learn more about Gouw and the neighboring Rosemont, I rode my scooter out to listen and explore. Continue reading

SEAMAAC’s 33rd Annual Board Meeting

Last night was SEAMAAC’s 33rd Annual Board Meeting and Dinner at Dim Sum House. Staff, board members, and a few guests celebrated the nonprofit’s accomplishments of 2016 working with and expanding their social services programs in South Philly. My friend and I were invited as guests.  Continue reading

Mifflin Square Park Cleanup with SEAMAAC

On Saturday March 25, I went out to South Philly to help clean up Mifflin Square Park with SEAMAAC. The park is located on the corner of 6th and Ritner in a diverse neighborhood home to many immigrants of Southeast Asian and Latino descent. SEAMAAC has plans to work with the neighborhood to build community ownership of the park through public events and infrastructure enhancements.

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Community Day of Learning 2017

On Wednesday March 22, Bryn Mawr hosted their 3rd annual Community Day of Learning. The theme was “Minds and Bodies: Belonging in Our Communities.” Faculty, Staff, and students were encouraged to attend workshops and panel session on topics ranging from people of color in higher education, to sexuality, to immigrant experiences, and much more. Continue reading

Center for Asian Health Internship Updates & More

I have been working as a research intern at the Center for Asian Health affiliated with Temple University’s Medical School for almost the past two months now. Every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, I take the SEPTA train into the city to the office. My mentor is a clinical psychologist, and we are currently working on a project analyzing the relationship between chronic conditions, related factors, and management methods in the Asian American community.  Continue reading

Mainline Doubles Tournament

I played in my first tournament (of any sport) ever this Saturday February 25. The Bryn Mawr College Varsity Badminton team hosted their annual “Mainline Doubles Tournament” in the gym. Both my roommates, May Cai and Thanchanok Chaiprasit, are the team managers, so I have usually supported them from the sidelines. But this time, they were short one player for the Women’s Rookie division, so they signed me up! My parents even drove down from Northern Jersey to watch me play (and use the pool, of course). 

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Mandarin Interpretation with SEAMAAC

Remember my post about SEAMAAC earlier on my blog? On Monday night, I received a surprise email from Andy Toy, whom I interviewed last time, looking for Mandarin translators for a meeting with store owners in South Philly. At first I was hesitant about whether my limited Chinese skills were sufficient to do the job, but before I knew it, my friend signed us both up. Continue reading

Lunar Love Party

Asian student groups from Temple, Villanova, Drexel, and Bryn Mawr (the Bryn Mawr Korean Students Association) host a couple parties every school year in Philadelphia. The last time I attended one of their events was my first year at Bryn Mawr. I decided to give these intercollegiate Asian parties another chance last Friday night. Continue reading

Weekend in NYC, Part 2: Chinese New Year with Family

My family on my mom’s side makes an effort to get together every year for Chinese New Year. This year was no exception. As the cousins in my generation aged into college, it was harder to get everyone together. But this year, I made the journey into NYC for the special family reunion. Even my cousins from Penn State who live in Harrisburg made the long drive to New York. My family is Cantonese Chinese American, but the traditional food is still an essential part to our family gatherings. Continue reading