A special gift for my future generations

I have always loved reading and writing. Reading takes me on many different journeys that I otherwise may not have the opportunity to experience. Writing makes me release my stress, and to better express thoughts and emotions.

About 15 years ago when I was still in high school I wrote a piece about being Chinese-American. Through this piece, I was able to share my experience as an immigrant to the United States and the memorable years I spent in Nampa, Idaho. I entered this short essay into a writing contest and was very happy to get third place. The $1500 savings bond that I won from the contest was not nearly as important as the fact that I got to share my writing with thousands of people.

As life went on, I forgot about this essay. I don't think I even shared it with my husband. Then one day, I received a call from Judy Yung, Professor Emerita of American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and author of the award-winning Unbound Feet: A Social History of Chinese Women in San Francisco (California, 1995).

Judy kindly told me about a book that she was working on, described as this:

This superb anthology, a diverse and illuminating collection of primary documents and stories by Chinese Americans, provides an intimate and textured history of the Chinese in America from their arrival during the California Gold Rush to the present. Among the documents are letters, speeches, testimonies, oral histories, personal memoirs, poems, essays, and folksongs; many have never been published before or have been translated into English for the first time. They bring to life the diverse voices of immigrants and American-born; laborers, merchants, and professionals; ministers and students; housewives and prostitutes; and community leaders and activists. Together, they provide insight into immigration, work, family and social life, and the longstanding fight for equality and inclusion. Featuring photographs and extensive introductions to the documents written by three leading Chinese American scholars, this compelling volume offers a panoramic perspective on the Chinese American experience and opens new vistas on American social, cultural, and political history.


I was shocked to hear that my piece was selected to be a part of this!! It truly is an honor, and I must thank Judy for this. This is so valuable to my family and I, and something I want to pass on to future generations....

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10306.php#copy

Tokyo Tokyo Tokyo

I'm an addict on all things Japanese. I admire their incredible attention to detail, their focus on packaging, and their superb customer service, just to name a few. So...I always find myself going to Tokyo at least once a year and I usually go when they have their International Gift Show. The show is held twice a year--February and September. It's an opportunity to see what's new out there in gifts, toys, baby goods, stationaries, beauty, and cosmetics. I drool over all the neat stuff at this show so I always look forward to going. If you're in the creative business, you should definitely go because you will surely get lots of inspiration there!

Unfortunately, they don't allow cameras inside, so I was unable to take photos of my favorite booths but I did sneak a picture with one of the hot new Japanese characters Rody!

If you are interested in attending, here is the website detailing the upcoming September show:

http://www.giftshow.co.jp/english/66tigs/outline.htm

You do need to have a licensed business and resale permit to register as an attendee.

While you're there, you should definitely spend a few extra days in Tokyo! Here are my must-go recommendations:

Serenya--this is a very well known steakhouse in the Ginza district. I guarantee you that their Kobe Beef is well worth the 17500 yen. The beef simply melts in your mouth!

Kani Doraku--known for all things crab, you definitely have to try the crab sashimi and nigiri here. They have three locations in Shinjuku, and you likely won't miss it because there's a huge crab hanging from the exterior of the building!

Itoya--9 floors of endless stationary items...it's definitely heaven for me because I love all papery items! You can also find cute gift packaging things here, as well as rubber stamps and craft items. Be prepared to spend half a day here! http://www.ito-ya.co.jp/store/

Tsukiji--you've probably heard of the fish market in Tokyo. Definitely make a trip there for not only the freshest sushi, but also for the small traditional Japanese shops there that sells Japanese tea and snacks. As you arrive, you will also see a line of small Japanese shops serving ramen, tempura, etc. and they are all delicious as well!!

Kiddy Land--For those that have children, you will surely find great gifts here. 4 stories high, there is a section devoted to each popular cartoon character, such as Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, Thomas the train, My Melody, and many more.

Shimyokohama Raumen Museum--A museum all about ramen! Make sure you restaurant hop there to taste all the different ramen from the different regions of Japan. Then, stop by the store to custom make your own Cup O Noodles!



I can probably go on and on about more places to visit in Tokyo, but that may be too overwhelming. I'm still discovering new places every time I go...I just can't seem to get enough of Japan!

There's no take two!

Are you considering a wedding video? If the answer is no, may I urge you to RECONSIDER! I think that is probably the #1 regrets of many couples. After the wedding day, they realize how quickly the day had gone by and they wish they could relive it all over again. Well, you can. Sort of. By hiring a wonderful, fabulous cinematographer like Chuck and Jewel Savadelis you can come close to reliving the most special day of your lives.

I've had the pleasure of working with Savadelis Films on many weddings, and they have always amazed me in their ability to capture in the most genuine way the love, the joy, and all the different emotions that arise on the wedding day. Their videos are movies, but in no way are they surreal. In fact, the movies are so tastefully shot and edited that it can even bring tears and laughter to a total stranger.

'How do they do that?' you may ask.

I think it lies in their passion for what they do. They shoot each wedding with heart. Prior to the wedding day, they go to great lengths to understand the couple. They try to grasp the couple's vision of the wedding, they note who the key family members and special guests are (as well as where they are seated at the ceremony and reception!), and they treat each wedding as a very special, unique day. They don't go by a 'must shoot' list, because they capture each detail as it unfolds naturally. Yet, they never miss an important moment...like when the groom first lay eyes on his bride. There is so much preparation that they do prior to the wedding day, such as meeting with me to go through the timeline intensively because they do not like to leave anything to chance.

I've heard so many couples say that they can relive their wedding through the photos. Let me tell you, I have the greatest respect for photographers but you must realize that it's a completely different medium! Tell me how photographs can make you relive that toast by your Best Man that made everyone roaring with laughter. Tell me how photographs can make you relive that beautiful first dance as husband and wife to that special song you picked. You can't! You may remember the toast a year from your wedding day, maybe even five years. But 30 years go by, and how can you remember? How can you describe it to your children, to the children of your Best Man?

Every couple deserves a wedding video. Remember, on your wedding day there's no take two, so get the best videographers you can to capture it!

www.savadelis.com

Sample video from a wedding that I did with Chuck and Jewel at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay:

Quicktime: http://www.savadelis.com/movies/samba_at_the_ritz.mov
Windows Media: http://www.savadelis.com/movies/samba_at_the_ritz.wmv

Image above by Gene Higa www.genehiga.com

Sweet Tooth

Those that know me well will tell you that I have the sweetest tooth of them all! I have always believed that I have a separate stomach just for desserts. My husband still gets shocked when I ask for the dessert menu after a very full dinner. I tell him the same thing every time..."A dinner is just not complete without dessert!"

It comes as no surprise to him then, that when I started planning my daughter's first birthday, dessert was the first item on my agenda. 'We must have a fabulous dessert bar', I announced to my husband. He laughed and said 'Isn't the birthday cake a dessert already?"

I gave him 'the look'.

Off I went on my research for the best dessert bar for little Bridgette's birthday. Then, I suddenly remembered the wonderful petite desserts that I had recently at my friend Stacie Tamaki's wedding! They were from Satura Cakes, which by no ordinary coincidence, was a place that I made frequent stops to. I called my contact there, Jenny, right away. Jenny quickly sent me their full list of selections.

Let me backtrack a bit. I've had the pleasure of tasting the cakes at Satura Cakes on many, many occasions. When they first launched about three years ago, they partnered with a bridal salon Panache in hosting a networking event for wedding professionals. That was when I first met Jenny, and learned all about Satura Cakes. When I found out that this was a Japanese company with a vision to bring the beautiful and delicate art of Japanese pastries to the Bay Area, I knew this was what I've been waiting for all my life! I visit Tokyo quite often, and indulge in their pastries and desserts every time. I have always wondered why we don't have something like that in the Bay Area. Satura Cakes probably realized the same thing, and I am so glad that they did. In just a few years time they have opened up two locations in the Bay Area, several in Honolulu and they have plans to expand further in the Bay Area and Southern California! Yay!

When my sister and I were pregnant, we made trips to Satura Cakes weekly. We especially craved for their cream puffs and strawberry shortcakes. The day after my baby was born, my brother in law bought to the hospital my favorite pear tart from Satura Cakes. You can tell what an important part they have been in the last few years of my life! In addition to that, I have happily recommended them to my clients for their wedding cakes and dessert bar needs.

The desserts at Satura Cakes are very fresh and light, which caters very well to the Asian palette. For Bridgette's birthday party, I selected the green tea cream puffs, mango mousse cake, chocolate mousse cake, raspberry shortcake, strawberry shortcake, and fresh fruit tarts. They were the hit of the party. Everybody wanted to know where the desserts came from!

From your daily pastries and desserts to special occasion cakes and dessert bars, Satura Cakes is the place to go to! Jenny Voight is my contact there for weddings and she is knowledgeable, professional, and just great to work with!

www.saturacakes.com