Hannah's WRIT340 Blog

COVID19: The Quest Back Home Do you know those memories that randomly pop up before you go to bed? Well, this story is one that my brain likes to keep reminding me about, and (hopefully) not something I will need to experience again. So here it goes, my treacherous journey back home amidst a global pandemic. The Backstory  Even though I was living in China when the pandemic erupted, I never thought it would put the whole world on lockdown. When my high school announced that winter break would be extended till further notice, my friends and I were ecstatic. It was like Santa listened to my wishes all these years. My friends and I joked about how bad this “virus” could be, expecting it to resemble the flu. Little did I know that this would be my last seeing them until four years later. The Outburst  There had been rumors of a deadly virus going around town. Although there were no official announcements from the health department, people were scared. My high school kept postponin...

 “America Like Me” by America Ferrera features a collection of immigrant stories, and it has been fascinating to read about their diverse experiences. As an immigrant child who has lived with different cultures, I related to many of these stories, encouraging me to reflect on what it means to be American. Each story shows that being American isn’t just one thing but a mix of backgrounds, challenges, and successes. One topic I connect with in the book is how it talks about belonging. Many people in the stories struggle with fitting in, dealing with stereotypes, or feeling torn between cultures. Carmen Perez recalls a time when the local police held her brother and her basketball teammates at gunpoint as they were driving home from a tournament. Although I have not been in her shoes, I understand the feeling of unfair treatment for not looking a certain way. One quote that stuck with me is, “As I watched my brother’s face being pushed into the pavement, I wished the police could see ...

Wok the Block: Navigating LA’s Chinese Culinary Tapestry   Think Chinese food is all about orange chicken and fortune cookies? It’s time to hit pause on those stereotypes. From Sichuan spicy delights to Cantonese dim sum, navigating Chinese food requires more specificity than a generic “I’m craving Chinese.” And if you do not know what that means, I invite you to keep reading.    Los Angeles has a Chinese cuisine scene that’s as diverse as the city. Join me on this tour, where I’ll unravel the truth about Chinese food and show you some of the best Chinese restaurants around the city. I hope to prove there’s more to it than the food in your takeout box.    What is Chinese Food? At first glance, the question seems as simple as asking for a bowl of fried rice. But under the surface, it unfolds into a tapestry of complex flavors, techniques, and regional nuances. Picture China, with 3.7 million square miles of land across 22 provinces, a culinary mixing pot that ref...

As an immigrant child, I was immediately drawn to America Ferrera’s “American Like Me” book description. Although I was born in the United States, I spent most of my life outside of it. When I was living abroad, I always felt too American or too foreign. Yet, when I moved back to the States, I didn’t feel “American” enough The idea that home is everywhere and nowhere simultaneously captures the struggle of figuring out where I truly belong. Ferrera’s book, with its stories from immigrants, their kids, and those connected to multiple cultures, reflects the challenges of finding yourself and fitting in as an American. As I’ve experienced, being American is a mix of good and bad, and I’m eager to read more about what others think it entails. I’m about 1/3 of the way through the book and really enjoying it so far. Interestingly, many of the stories bring up the topic of food. Jenny Zhang and Reshma Saujani share experiences of getting teased for their lunch choices—Chinese food for Zhang a...