Author Archives: Jeff

About Jeff

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

What Asian American Kids Watch on TV: Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Jeff

“There’s more Asians on this show.” — Number Two Son Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures, a new show on Nickelodeon, definitely has more Asians than A.N.T. Farm.  Two out of five lead characters are Asian American!  One of those two … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, TV | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Boppers, The Fresh Generation & Asian American Teens

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Jeff

“I don’t want to go to the Great Mall – it’s bopperville!” The Daughter said that when I told her that we were going shopping. “Bopperville?”  I thought.  “What is a bopper?”  I had no idea what she was talking … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Fashion, Lifestyles | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Asian American Fishermen Affected by Mercury Pollution

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Jeff

While some Asian Americans/Canadians fish for recreation, others fish in order to use their catch to directly feed their families. The Sierra Club is publicizing a study showing how mercury pollution in fish is affecting Hispanic communities, with some Hispanic … Continue reading →

Posted in (simple), Environment, Food & Drink, Health, Lifestyles | Tagged , | 1 Comment

What Asian American Kids Watch on TV: Disney Channel’s A.N.T. Farm

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Jeff

I saw Number Two Son watching A.N.T. Farm on the Disney Channel, about a group of brilliant middle school students who go to a San Francisco high school.  They are part of a gifted program for students who have “Advanced … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, TV, WTF | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Is San Jose’s Japantown Becoming Hawaiitown?

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Jeff

I live close to San Jose’s Japantown, and I have been getting takeout from there for many years.  During that time, I have seen the Soko hardware store (pictured left) closed down and converted to a number of shops.  One … Continue reading →

Posted in Food & Drink, Local, Observations, San Francisco Bay Area | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Filipino Declared World’s Shortest Man

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Jeff

On the same day he turned 18, Filipino Junrey Balawing was declared the world’s shortest man by the Guinness Book of World Records.  Balawing stands 59.93 centimeters or 23.5 inches high, about 2.5 inches shorter than the previous record holder,  … Continue reading →

Posted in (simple), DUDE WTF ASIA, WTF | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Diwali Pushed as a School Holiday in Silicon Valley

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Jeff

While I was driving home with The Daughter and one of her friends on an early November evening, the friend pointed to a house lit with Christmas lights.  “Isn’t it early for Christmas lights?” she asked.  “Not for Christmas,”  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Lifestyles, Local, Religion, San Francisco Bay Area | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Japanese American Eldercare: Foreshadowing an Aging Future

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Jeff

When the Wife and I have lunch in San Jose’s Japantown, we often notice Japanese Americans seniors eating there also.  Some of the more notable buildings in San Jose’s Japantown are the Fuji Towers, an apartment complex for Japanese American … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Health, Lifestyles | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Spanish vs. Chinese: Which is the Next Language to Learn?

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Jeff

“Dad, what language should I take?” asked Number One Son, as he filled out online enrollment forms for high school.   “Spanish or Mandarin?” Indeed, that is a question that others have asked.  Nicholas Kristof asked the question in an Op-ed … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Family, Lifestyles | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Breast Cancer Risk Calculator Updated for Asian American Women

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Jeff

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT) has been updated to better deal with Asian American women.  BCRAT is used to estimate the risk for women of developing invasive breast cancer and was originally based on … Continue reading →

Posted in (simple), Health, Lifestyles | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Census 2010 Results Show Indian American Population Surge

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Jeff

Walking through my company’s newly renovated cafeteria, I looked behind one of the counters and noticed something like what you see to the right.  For those of you who don’t know, it is a tandoor, an oven used in cooking … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Education, Family, Lifestyles, Local, San Francisco Bay Area | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Fawn Lee: Dying Mom Struggles to Leave a Legacy

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Jeff

While my children were growing up, I would mentally mark the milestone when they reached an age when they would remember me if I died.  That may seem ridiculously grim, but I have friends who have few memories of parents … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Health, Lifestyles | Tagged , | 9 Comments