Author Archives: Jeff

About Jeff

Jeff lives in Silicon Valley, and attempts to juggle marriage, fatherhood, computer systems research, running, and writing.

Asian Waistlines and Heart Disease

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Jeff

While waist size is an indicator for potential hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart disease, the standards for Asians is stricter stricter than for non-Asians.    This is similar to the situation with Asians and Body Mass Index (BMI), where standards … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Lifestyles | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Asian American Medical Hazard: Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis)

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Jeff

When I read this article about how California was moving prisoners from Central Valley prisons because of “valley fever” problems, one line in particular got my attention: U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson last week ordered the transfer of most black, … Continue reading →

Posted in Asian American Medical Hazard, Environment, Health | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Asian American Urban Dance: Breaking Stereotypes, Entering American Mainstream Thought

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Jeff

Nothing says mainstream like a show on the Las Vegas strip, and the Jabbawockeez’s new show Prism that my family and I recently saw in Luxor is one sign that Asian Americans as hip-hop dancing has hit the mainstream.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

12 Year old New York Filipina Cites Cyberbulling in her Suicide Note

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Jeff

12 Year old Filipina American Gabrielle Molina committed suicide last month,  citing cyberbullying in her suicide note.  She joins Audrie Potts and other teens and adolescents around the world for whom cyberbullying was a factor in their deaths.    One doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Health, Lifestyles, Local, New York, Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Pelenise Faataui: Dancing Against San Francisco Bullets

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Jeff

While stories about the wealth and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been widely publicized, many AAPIs aren’t rich and struggle in dangerous surroundings.  This video tells the story of Pelenise Faataui, who teaches Samoan dancing in front … Continue reading →

Posted in Local, San Francisco Bay Area, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The “it’s ok” Campaign Counters Stigma of Mental Illness

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Jeff

The it’s ok Campaign is an effort to battle the stigma of depression and mental illness in Asian American communities.  This project run by the Corporate Asian American Employee Network (CAAEN) will center its efforts around their Facebook page, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Health, Lifestyles | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“Asian Chops” Wants Your Food Stories

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Jeff

Filmmaker Grace Lee is making a documentary on Asian American food, and she wants your stories and ideas. “Asian Chops” (the current working title) will look at Asian America through the lens of food.  A kickoff party, food panel, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink, TV | Leave a comment

Asians in American Pop Music History: Larry Ramos of The Association

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Jeff

It’s hard to imagine that an Asian American more than 40 years ago performed in  four Billboard top 10 hits, including two #1 songs and one #2, but Larry Ramos of the folk/soft rock group The Association, actually achieved that. … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Music | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Sriracha Production Heating Up

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Jeff

Johnny has talked about things that are uniquely Asian American, and one thing that comes to my mind in that category is Huy Fong Foods‘ Sriracha Chili sauce.  Sriracha was created by David Tran as a version of a hot … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Food & Drink | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Asians in American Pop Music History: The Rocky Fellers

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Jeff

If you would guess the first Asian or Asian American music act to make the Billboard Hot 100, you might think of Jay Sean, Bruno Mars, or the Far East Movement, but the earliest I know about is The Rocky … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Music | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Final Report on Post-election Survey of 2012 Asian American and Pacific Islanders Voters

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Jeff

A few months after the release of a preliminary report, the National Asian American Survey has released its final report on its 2012 post-election survey of Asian American and Pacific Islander voting.  Some of the more interesting highlights: Although more … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Michelle Malkin and Jose Antonio Vargas Discuss Adobo and Immigration

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Jeff

Univision News captured this discussion on twitter between Michelle Malkin and Jose Antonio Vargas on immigration.   Their exchange, also featured on Buzzfeed, is notable for its relative civility and its occasional drift into discussions about adobo.  One thing that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments