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A Letter To My Best Friends
Submitted by Daniella Avisado Dear Best Friend(s), If someone were to ask me what I’m most thankful for, my answer would be instant: you guys. That’s a question that doesn’t require any thought—because I’m so sure. Of course, I’m thankful for family, food, and good health, but you all are right up there at the top of the list. I think a lot of people underestimate the power of friendship. The difference it makes to be surrounded by good people is life-changing. Being able to find people who share the same values, morals, and lifestyle as you is a blessing. I’m lucky to say I’ve found mine. I’ve never met…
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Love on a Plate: Expressing Appreciation Through Food
Submitted by Steven Pham Food plays a significant role in everyone’s life, but for me, it’s also a way to express my love language. As someone whose love language is acts of service, I show my appreciation for my closest friends through food. One tradition I’ve developed is making my signature banana pudding every New Year’s for them—a sweet gesture that began four years ago but has already become special. Before every New Year’s Day, my friends always ask me the same question: “Yo Steven, are you making your banana pudding again this year?” I always reply, “Of course I am.” Their faces immediately light up with excitement, and it’s…
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A Thank You Letter to My Comfort Show & Character
Submitted by Will Chen During tough times, everyone has a way to help cope with their difficult situations. It is important to have that outlet to let these emotions out and get comforted. For me, a show I always turn to is Pokemon. I used to love this show as a kid and watching it gave me a smile every time. Although this may be a kid’s show, the lessons involved were instrumental to developing my character. Ash Ketchum and the journeys he has been on with his Pokemon have educated me on the principles of life. Aside from the valuable lessons Pokemon has taught me, the show always has…
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Why I Always Finish Each Grain of Rice
Submitted by Ruthie Suarez “Every Grain of Rice: A Lesson from Nanay” Growing up, my Filipino nanay—my grandmother— was a source of endless wisdom and gentle teachings. When she moved to America she worked for S.O.M.E (So Others Might Eat) where they strive to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Her voice was a steady guide in my childhood, weaving lessons into my everyday life. Of all the teachings she taught me, one stuck with me the most: “Finish every grain of rice on your plate. There are hungry children in the Philippines who would give anything for what you have.” As a child, I didn’t fully understand her…
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Unspoken Struggles: A Gap with My Family
Submitted by Jodie Li Like everyone else, I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve struggled, felt lost, and been overwhelmed, but these thoughts have never been shared with my family. It’s not that I don’t trust them—it’s that I don’t want to burden them. There’s also a part of me that worries they might not understand how I feel; worse, I fear they might even be disappointed. My parents, specifically, are traditional Chinese immigrants—strong-willed and hardworking. I wanted to appear just as strong, capable, and independent—the person they raised me to be. But in choosing not to share my struggles, I often felt disconnected from them, carrying burdens that might…
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A Lesson I Learned From the Film ‘Didi’
Submitted by Gina Choi The coming-of-age film Didi follows a Taiwanese American teenage boy as he navigates the challenges of adolescence, trying to balance his cultural heritage with the pressures of fitting in with his American peers. The film does an excellent job portraying the awkwardness of puberty and the often embarrassing moments that come with growing up. It captures the universal struggles that come with adolescence, making it easy for anyone, regardless of background, to relate to Didi’s journey. As an Asian woman raised in American culture, I found myself connecting deeply with Didi’s experience. While the film didn’t teach me any particularly new lessons, it definitely reinforced things…
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Louie’s Dishes: My Mother’s Best Homemade Meals
Submitted by Francesca Tero My mother, Eloisa Espiritu, otherwise known as “Louie”, built her own catering business from the talent of her two hands. Technically, four or six hands if you count the occasional times my sister and I are recruited to help her. Nonetheless, her business, “Louie’s Dishes”, came to life in the kitchen of my childhood home when my mom decided to put her own twist on the viral “Sushi Bake” recipe that was taking over the Internet at the time. It’s important to note that ever since I was young, I’ve had the pleasure of tasting and appreciating the variety of dishes my mom had a knack…
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How Korean Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving
By Hera Lee Thanksgiving is a special holiday that is celebrated in the United States. Americans come together with families and friends to celebrate the holiday of giving thanks; hence the name Thanksgiving. One of this celebration’s main key points is sharing a huge and elaborate feast that includes foods like turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes. These are the standard dishes you may see on the dining table, but some people, especially those from different ethnic backgrounds, might bring different cuisines. Korean Americans, for example, love celebrating Thanksgiving for sharing delicious food. Koreans are known for their style of sharing food—we don’t order food for…
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My Annual Thanksgiving Dishes on My Table!
Submitted by Angelina Ng As November slowly comes to an end, Thanksgiving is nearby! A holiday that celebrates family, loved ones, and blessings, I always look forward to the Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by the people I love and care about the most. I would see the most classic Thanksgiving dishes on television: turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and pie. Although those dishes are traditional and delicious on Thanksgiving, my household likes to incorporate a twist with Asian dishes and even some takeout! Every year, we have just a few main dishes we bring to the table as a tradition, however, we like to change up our platters and…
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Things I Bought That I Definitely Shouldn’t Have: A Journey of Regret and Laughter
Submitted by Steven Pham Ah, the joys of adulthood—when the freedom of spending your hard-earned money comes with the bittersweet taste of regret. Let me take you on a whimsical journey through my wallet’s misadventures, highlighting two shining examples of how I managed to part ways with my cash: Valorant skins and an omakase experience that fell flat. The Allure of Valorant Skins Imagine this: I’m immersed in a fierce Valorant match, adrenaline surging as I grip my mouse, poised to turn the tide for my team. My heart races not only from the intensity of the game but also from the stark realization that my knife skin is as…
