Taiwanese American Heritage Week Festival in LA
Date: Sunday, May 19, 2013
Time: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Location: Barnes Memorial Park
Address: 350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park, CA
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/158512307646272
Website: http://www.tahwla.org
This year marks the 15th Anniversary of the Taiwanese American Heritage Week, first declared by U.S. Congress in 1999 to honor the culture and contributions of the Taiwanese Americans!
On behalf of Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater Los Angeles and the Taiwanese American Heritage Committee, we would like to invite you to attend our 2013 Taiwanese American Heritage Week Festival, which will be held on Sunday, May 19th , in collaboration with many other Taiwanese American community organizations across Southern California. There will be performances in the amphitheater throughout the day showcasing the Taiwanese American culture, as well as booths with artisans, food, games, raffles, and exquisite exhibits for people of all ages. We hope these events will foster further understanding and awareness of our proud heritage in the Greater Los Angeles region.
Food & Fun Games:
- Over 30 booths will host traditional Taiwanese cuisine & drinks & booths of games for the young & old. Bring the whole family to enjoy!
- Admission is FREE!!!
- Food & Game Tickets ($10 with raffle ticket) can be purchased in advance or on-site.
- Many prizes to be drawn.
In addition to the 5/19/13 festival, throughout the month of May, the Taiwanese American community will be hosting a series of other exhibits, workshops, and performances that will be open to the public. Please contact Taiwan Center in Rosemead for more information at (626)307-4881, or visit www.tahwla.org.
Play: Company of Angels
This is my friend’s play. Please support if you have some time. You can get a 10% off coupon code with nic in the promo code box.
Company of Angels presents SPOKEN MOVEMENT: Our L.A! A creative showcase by Urban L.A Youth Developed & Directed by Xavi Moreno Thursday May 16, 2013 at 8 pm. FREE!! OPEN MIC – To follow performance! Company of Angels at The Alexandria 501 S. Spring Street., 3rd Floor, LA, CA 90013 Office: 213.489.3703
He is the organizer for the downtown artwalk. 
Mexico Caravan Ministries
858.309.4741
I wasn’t really able to find any review or anything on this so I thought I’d help out the virtual community by posting something on it. Well, in all actuality, our church has gone before but I have never been. We’ll be heading on the 18th. I’m sorta telling the world in advance since there’s been a drug war going on down there… Murders have been up more than 40% in the last year. My emergency supplies include some extra toilet paper…
On the flip side it’ll be in Tijuana and I’ve already registered with the embassy. I hope everything goes smoothly. I’ll be dressing pretty conservatively and have my CamelBak for hydration. We’re basically building huts for the less fortunate.
I’ve attached some documents to this post with all the information in case you too, want to check out this mission.
Day Caravan Driving Information
Weekend Leadership Packet
Directions to MCM
Hope this helps… Photos and full review to follow on Sunday.
Traveling abroad? Make sure to register with the local embassy.
UPDATE – May 18, 2013
I decided not to go in light of local customs in which I cannot speak to someone of the opposite gender. My upmost concern is my safety and let’s be honest, most women would not be able to physically protect me (as I can barely protect myself). I decided in the best interest of the group not to go since I am probably more paranoid than most people. Go U.S.A….
Will post testimonials later from others that went.
Review: Oakley Vault – Half Jacket
Just purchased my newest pair of sunglasses from Oakley Vault. I’ve always been a huge fan of this company since the 90s. I dunno what it is, other sunglasses just don’t last as long or aren’t durable. (I did try Coach ones last year.) They were of course sufficiently ruined after the robbery in K-Town (Korea Town, Los Angeles). These are sport and should last even after impact. The lenses are also replaceable so I’ll probably pick up some polarized ones in the future.
$64.99 USD was a great find for these bad boys! Especially for Asian Fit. Yeah, I have a flat face like most Asians.
Full review to follow when they get here. Supposedly I can run in these… We shall see!
By the way, shout out to Jeremy Ward at Oakley for being AWESOME sauce in customer service. You are awesome sauce. Show your supervisor. For reals.
Baptism!
So hopefully you don’t find me less credible but this is my life blog so, of course, it was a pretty monumental event that I was baptized at Thanksgiving Church. They are located in Buena Park, California. (It is full immersion.)
After I started getting involved with the church I realized most organizations are Christian based. Food for thought.
There are of course, those less involved and dare I say atheist, but we are all entitled to freedom of religion and faith. I grew up Taoist and mix both still. I believe in sending money to my ancestors and I would also like to know that I’m saved. Yeah, there’s a lot going on here.
I think it’s not just about the bible per say, but also about the community and what I refer to as ‘anchorism’ or finding anchors. You really open up to people without reservations, and you learn to love people without your own reservations. It’s actually a beautiful thing. You really don’t see that in any other community.
At the end of the day, life, at least in this society, is about being a good person, and however you find your way to do that is absolutely fine with me.
Review: Sambazon – Supergreens and Açaí
Had the amazing opportunity to sample these Sambazon beverages. I’ll be trying the other ones they carry shortly this week.
Overall I’d have to say they seem like a smaller size than their competitors but it definitely left me satiated. Their packaging is easy to spot from anywhere! They’re also cheaper than their competitors, I got these two at Albertson’s for $2.50USD each retail. (For comparison, Naked Juice is usually around $3.99 USD.) I can definitely afford to support this habit.
The Superfood juice reminded me of Naked Green Machine but less thick and less sweet. The ginger kick was definitely a welcomed twist. It didn’t keep its cold as well but that has become my expectation for these types of drinks.
The Açaí juice was unique. It reminded me of Veev but tastier. The mixture of the juices were great together. The sweetness was perfect, not too sweet with the saliva pool in the back after drinking. You know what I mean!
Did I mention these guys are vegan, gluten-free, and non GMO ?? Sweetened with agave.
Overall I give these products a huge, HUGE recommendation. Not only has the company been so sweet in community outreach, but they’re so good for you too. I will definitely reach for this product first before any other juices or smoothies.
Thanks for the samples Sambazon!
Review: Body Butter / “Buffy” by Lush Cosmetics
Finally plunked down some cash at Lush Cosmetics because I was suckered in once by my friend and they did some samples on my hand. I wanted to get this the first day but as you can see by the hefty price tag, I really needed at least 8 months to ponder this over.
From the website:
THE ORIGINAL SLAYER TOUGH ON ROUGH BOTTOMS
Massage our Buffy body butter all over your wet skin in the bath or shower to make you softer and smooth to the touch, paying special attention to your backside. We add ground rice, almonds and beans to Buffy to act as exfoliants; the rough textures eliminate lumps and bumps and sloughs away dry skin cells to reveal brighter, fresher looking skin. Rinse off the exfoliating bits and pat yourself dry. There’s no need for body lotion after a Buffy slaying session, because the cocoa and shea butters keep your skin beautifully smooth, moisturized and soft to the touch.FEATURES
- For your buffing pleasure: Our best-selling body butter is so popular we make in two sizes.
- Rough stuff: Slay your bum, thighs, legs and anywhere you want to smooth.
- Smooth like butter: Shea butter is moisturizing, emollient and incredibly softening on skin.
Well, the advertising is true. You definitely don’t need a moisturizer after this… But it definitely felt like a salt or sugar scrub afterward — the skin is “sealed” by oils. Hopefully this is ok for my septic tank…. I did cringe a little when putting on clothes because it felt like my skin didn’t totally absorb everything and felt a bit greasy.
I like this, but give yourself ample time to dry. If you’re in a rush, I don’t recommend it. I haven’t seen it stain any of my clothes yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
Smells OK – “natural” and minty. Spring-like. Made my entire bathroom smell like an air freshener. That could be a plus or minus depending on if you’re sensitive to scents.
Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup
Homemade slow cooker Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup.
Ingredients:
- 5 cups free range organic chicken broth
- half of a white onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 tsps Bouillon powder
- 1 cup broccoli
- 1 cup carrots
- 5 stalks celery
- 2 lb chicken cut into chunks
Layer carrots on the bottom if you prefer softer carrots. Then layer chicken on the bottom, cover with broccoli, carrots (if you like crunchier carrots) and celery. Grate onion and garlic on top. Sprinkle Bouillon powder over entire mixture. Cover with chicken broth. Cook for 2.5 hours.
You could probably feed 6 people with this. I know, I cook for an army of two.
I made penne separately, cooked at 5 minutes until al dente. Since this is flour based, it’ll dissolve inside the soup so I recommend egg noodles if you decide to throw it in the Crock Pot.
Recipe: French Toast, Hash Browns, Sausage
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- Dipping French Toast
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- Oven - Hash Browns & Sausage
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- All Done!
The french toast recipe is adapted from Alton Brown, original recipe here.
Ingredients:
- Aidell’s Habanero & Green Chile smoked chicken sausage (however many you want to eat)
- Trader Joe’s frozen hash browns (however many you want to eat)
- (French Toast: makes about 6 slices)
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 3 tbs butter
- 1/2 tbs salt
- 1 tbs cinnamon
- 6 slices of 1/2″ cut egg bread
Melt the butter. Beat in eggs, Half & Half. Add salt and cinnamon. Dip bread slice inside mixture on both sides. Griddle on 400°F until lightly browned on both sides.
Sausage is already fully cooked — I oven-ed it at 425°F for 10 minutes.
Hash browns already cooked as well – I oven-ed it at 425°F for 16 minutes.
