Category: Culture

  • A China Adoption Story

    Every time I visit China, I always see Western families in the hotel lobby with their Chinese adopted children in tow. If you ever wonder what exactly become of them, how they are doing, and what struggles and challenges they face, here’s an interesting essay I found by Elizabeth Holmes, a Chinese adoptee, who won…

  • Ancient Chinese Bar Stools

    As if seeing Chinese furniture at Target wasn’t enough, i head to Costco and find the same. However, they were passing these off as bar stools. I’m sure that’s not what these types of chairs are called in China though. Where next? Crate and Barrel?

  • Antique Chinese Chairs

    So, how do these chairs compare with the museum-quality one. Good from afar, but far from good? I couldn’t quite decipher the symbol carved on the back of the chair. Definitely did not appear to be anything I’ve seen before on any antique Chinese furniture. Oh, I found those chairs at Target. I also saw…

  • Antique Chinese Furniture

    I love antique Chinese furniture. A great place to view antique Chinese furniture is along Hollywood Road in Hong Kong, which is packed with shops selling furniture, jades, fossils and other assorted antiques. Recently, I came across a couple stores in the United States selling “Chinese” furniture. I was surprised, as you will be, when…

  • Top 8 Reasons to Learn English

    The United States requires applicants for naturalization to be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. However, the U.S. exempts older applicants who have resided in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for a long duration or those with a medical impairment that affects their ability to learn English. While green card…

  • Google Patent Search Gives Glimpse Into U.S. Racist History

    This week, Google launched Google Patent Search, which lets you search the entire collection of patents made available by the USPTO. As of the launch date, Google Patent Search covered patents issued from the 1790s to the middle of 2006. Now, this is not the first patent search engine, so let’s take a look and…

  • Better to Be Good, Than Authentic

    Los Angeles Times: California Rolls Drive Them to Distraction. Ever wonder whether the negi toro you ordered at that sushi place on Wilshire was the real deal? Well, the Japanese government does. Officials in Tokyo, concerned that diners around the globe are getting a less-than-genuine taste of their nation’s cuisine, are devising a sort of…

  • Chinese School

    Not too long ago, selecting a Chinese school that was appropriate for your child was much simpler. You sent them to the school closest to your home. Now, with the growing influx of Chinese immigrants, some parents may find several different schools in their neighborhood to choose from. Here are some important factors to consider…