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Lies I’ve Told My Asian Parents (And Will Continue to Tell Them)
Submitted by Ruthie Suarez Growing up in a strict but loving household means navigating the trials of expectations and family traditions. In my journey, I’ve found that telling little white lies has become a survival skill. I know that sounds terrible but it works! Here are some common little lies I’ve told my Asian parents—and some I’ll probably keep telling them for years to come. 1. “I Never Go Out with Wet Hair” The classic fear my mom has against me: to go outside with wet hair. My mom surely believes this is a way to catch a cold, fever, or any other mysterious illness that might come upon me.…
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I Know These Restaurants Hate to See Me Coming
Submitted by Gina Choi Growing up working in my family’s restaurant and being a huge foodie since birth, I think I know a thing or two about what makes a good restaurant. I would even go as far as to say that one of my main love languages would be food. Speaking of love, nothing screams true romance more than grabbing a quick dessert to share after a dinner date. So to start, the first restaurant that hates to see me coming has to be Mango Mango Dessert Cafe. As someone whose favorite fruit is mango, this cafe satisfies all of my cravings with desserts ranging from mango sticky rice…
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Retail Therapy is a Blessing and a Curse
Submitted by Will Chen Retail therapy refers to the practice of shopping to improve one’s mood or a way to relieve stress. This term is quite common among college students as they use it as a source to combat the stress in their daily lives. Without a doubt, I have indulged in retail therapy before as well. This can be in the form of food, clothes, video games, pretty much anything you can think of. However, there are consequences to retail therapy, specifically financial stress. According to the Journal of Consumer Research, consumers who engage in retail therapy can experience an increase in happiness. After shopping, people will become elated…
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How I Find Balance When Indulgences Become a Habit
Submitted by Angelina Ng After a long, stressful, week of classes, I found myself rewarding my small behaviors a little too much. It would bring me so much joy in such an easy process: find something I like, take out my card, and now I have it! There are some small indulgences I would do after I complete a task: go out and buy a snack, go to small shops and buy some jewelry, allow myself to eat more snacks, or get a large drink from Dunkin Donuts. These small actions definitely made me feel accomplished for my hard work throughout the week, but it eventually started to feel costly…
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My Obsession with Watching Mukbangs
Submitted by Hera Lee If you haven’t come across a mukbang video, have you been living under a rock? Mukkbang, for those who are unaware of its popularity, is an online video trend that involves people eating food in front of an online audience. This trend originated in South Korea, hence the name. The term is a blend of the Korean words “muk-da” (먹다) meaning “to eat” and “bang-song” (방송) meaning “broadcast”. These mukbang videos have hosts eating large, sometimes impressive amounts of food while interacting with their audience in real-time or through pre-recorded content. Sometimes, mukbang videos can be served as ASMR content, which are sensory and satisfying videos…
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Sweet Delights: Cheat Day ft. Asian Desserts
Submitted by Jodie Li When I have my cheat days, my heart always stays close to Asian cuisines. With various alluring flavors and textures of food, it’s hard to resist my sweet tooth. From crispy pastries to creamy rice dishes, these indulgent treats bring a taste of tradition and satisfaction, making them perfect for a day of indulgence. Here’s a look at some must-try Asian-themed cheat day desserts I recommend and adore the taste of: 1. Honey Toast Originating from Japan, Honey Toast (Shibuya Toast) features a thick slice of toasted bread, buttered and baked until crispy outside but soft inside. Topped with honey, whipped cream, and fruits like bananas…
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Convenience Stores in Korea vs. the U.S.
Submitted by Hera Lee If you are an avid TikTok user or are on social media, you may have come across viral videos of convenience stores, typically in countries like Korea and Japan. Convenience stores, although not as glorious as they sound, have become a widely popular fixation in the Western world. These stores, unlike the ones you find in America or other European countries, are not your typical, boring shops that sell chips and drinks. With the help of Korea’s innovative technology and creativity, these Asian countries have found ways to enhance the experience of shopping at a convenience store. 1. Variety In a typical American convenience store like…
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Best Movies to Entertain Your Long Plane Ride
Submitted by Angelina Ng When on a long flight, there are only so many snacks we can eat and bathroom runs we can have. A great way to pass the time would be to watch movies on an airplane. Although there is only a limited selection, most airlines in the U.S. have movies with action, comedy, horror, and romance. Many are uplifting or can give you an intense crying session. Here’s a list of entertaining movies to occupy your time on a long plane ride! Crazy Rich Asians (2018): A movie full of fun, comedy, drama, romance, and entertainment. It showcases stunning visuals: including the vibrant and lush scenery of…
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Famous Landmarks in Asia to Visit
Submitted by Will Chen As the world’s largest continent, Asia is a place full of diversity and fantastic places to explore. Although I have not yet visited Asia, I plan to in the near future and hope to come across new environments to immerse myself in. Here are some famous landmarks that you should be sure to visit. The Great Wall of China: As one of the seven wonders of the world, I am sure that this does not come as a surprise to you. With over 10 million visitors each year, this landmark is a wonder that each and every person should visit at least once in their lifetime.…
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Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking in Asia
Submitted by Daniella Avisado Backpacking through Asia is a dream for many travelers, including myself. Although I’ve personally never been to Asia before, there are tons of vloggers & influencers out there that have documented their experiences. I’ve definitely learned a few things from them and would love to share my knowledge with you all. Here’s a guide to help you potentially start your journey: 1. Choosing Your Destinations Asia is incredibly diverse, with countries that differ in culture, climate, and cost. As a beginner, it’s essential to narrow down your options based on your interests. Popular backpacking routes include: Southeast Asia: Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos are…
