I had to share this with my reading audience because it’s made up of a lot of my friends. I’m always interested in people and their observations. For those of you who haven’t met me before, I am Asian. I’m Korean, to be exact. I was born in Seoul and was adopted by my parents when I was about 6 months old. I’ve been in WNY ever since.
What’s interesting to me especially because it’s been happening more and more is the perception that all Asian people look alike. Being Korean, I can generally tell apart people from all the Eastern Asian countries. Maybe that’s by instinct or by the fact that I pay attention to the differences in our physiological makeup.
At my job, there is another Asian woman with whom I work. She is Philippino. We’re about the same age, same build and both bubbly people. And in the past 4 months since she’s worked with us, we’ve been mistaken for each other at least a dozen times. Today, in fact, people told me they saw me on a t.v. promo for an event this weekend. I just nodded my head politely no and said that it was Gina, not me. Realizing their mistake (ignorance, if you will), they apologized and tried to change the conversation. Gina and I have become good friends and luckily, we’re able to laugh about this.
Mind you, I’m used to this. I grew up in Lockport. My brother and I were two of maybe 6 Asian kids in town. He was mistaken for the Lee and Chi brothers and I was mistaken for Mo, who was actually Korean, but several years ahead of me in school.
Just thought I’d share this from my world…

In the past few months, I’ve had an interesting experience.  My 20-year old cousin who attends UB and I have started hanging out and one of the joys of my life has been to introduce him to different places in Buffalo…albeit mostly for food!

He grew up in Lockport, not far from my house, and our families have always been close.  He’s been at UB for all of college and since he changed majors, will finish up in 2 years.  That’s how long I have to convince him to stay in Buffalo - it shouldn’t be too hard!

The first time we had dinner was back in late January and I let him pick the place.  So, he picked Pizzeria Uno in Amherst because it was close to his house.  And I said fine while practically gagging at the thought of having to go into the ‘burbs to eat when the selection in the city is bountiful.

When we regrouped again in late February, I told him to drive to my place in the city and we’d decided where to eat.

His request that evening was simple - I want some place that has good wings and good burgers.  Obviously there are a variety of places you can go to get both or either.  So, my suggestion to him was, let’s go to Cole’s…I was more concerned with the burger than the wings.  We went to Cole’s and had the wings…but the real reason I took him there was because I love their Kobe beef burgers.  They are the best - always juicy and flavorful.

After dinner was over, he wanted dessert.  So, I took him to Sweet Tooth, since it was simply down the street.  And after eating a huge piece of cake and drinking a glass of milk, he sat there and simply smiled.

His remark to me was ‘Buffalo is more than just Chippewa and the Anchor Bar’.  And it struck me as to how little he’d experienced within the city’s limits other than those 2 places.  Granted, you should go to the Anchor Bar once because it’s the Anchor Bar and I suppose a happy hour trip to Chippewa is okay, but neither are places I would frequent.

He called again yesterday.  Wanting better wings, but still wanting burgers, I took him to Gabriel’s Gate because it’s always been one of my favorite places.  He loved the inside, thought the 2 wooden Indians were cool.

And the dessert request took us to Delish where I suggested he get the brownie (thanks Rich for introducing me to them) which was frosted and covered in sprinkles.  I settled on a piece of chocolate, coconut and macadamia nut torte.  Since Delish was closing, we settled for picking up a half-gallon of skim milk and going back to my house to enjoy our desserts.

So…I’m experiencing the city (and it’s wonderful array of food choices - I promise next time we’ll go out for Thai or Greek or something else) through my cousin’s eyes and having the time of my life…

So, Alan, Jennifer and Buffalo Geek all beat me to it, but here’s me jumping on the wagon late…

You put your iPOD or music player on shuffle and answer the questions with the songs in the order that they’re played.

Here’s mine:

How does the world see me?
“Bend and Break” – Keane
I’m not one to bend much or break so I guess that’s a good fit.

Will I have a happy life?
“Wildflower” – Sheryl Crow
I’ve never considered myself a wildflower, but hey, I am a free thinker and doer.

What do my friends really think of me?
“The More I See You” – Michael Buble
Let’s hope this means my friends like spending time with me.

Do people secretly lust after me?
“Changes” – David Bowie
People change their minds?  This can’t bode well…

How can I make myself happy?
“Hold On” – Sarah McLachlan
I am generally a happy person, so this song, well, it’s about holding on for dear life while losing/after losing a loved one, which I’ve experienced…so I guess it’s appropriate…

What should I do with my life?
“Raining in Baltimore” – Counting Crows
Should I move to Baltimore?  Or pray for rain here?

Will I ever have children?
“Bleed a Little While Tonight” – Lowest of the Low
I don’t even know what to say about this.

What is some good advice for me?
“The Damage in Your Heart” – Weezer
My heart is pretty solid these days, so maybe it’s just advice to keep things that way!

How will I be remembered?
“Trouble” – Ray Lamontagne
Some would say this is true…

What is my signature dance song?
“You and Me” – Lifehouse
My life is not a slow dance, but oh well…

What do I think my current theme song is?
“Gone” – Kanye West
I’m usually bouncing between my many commitments, so I guess this fits…

What song will play at my funeral?
“American Idiot” – Green Day
I hope not!

What type of men do I like?
“Touch the Sky” – Kanye West
I aim high…I hope this is what this means…

What is my day going to be like?
“Uninvited” – Alanis Morissette
I’m not invited…well, I’m already at work, so that’s one thing down…
 

I don’t write about many personal aspects of my life for a couple of reasons.  1)This is Revitalize Buffalo’s site, not my personal site.  2)Most of you don’t really care about what happens in my personal life and who can blame you?

That being said, I thought I’d post about this “ongoing battle” I have with my folks about my not being married.  Let me start by saying that I am perfectly content with my life.  I have a great paying job (hospice), amazing community work, fabulous apartment, I’m close with my family and my circle of friends couldn’t be better!

What I “battle” with my folks about is the fact that I’m nearly 31 now, and still single.  Mind you, there’s no battle on my end…I am content being single.  If the right guy comes along, great, but if he doesn’t, I know I’ll be okay, too.

My parents were married when my mom was 20 and my dad was 21…that’s what happened in the late 60s and 70s…and there’s nothing wrong with that.  With that in mind, they feel like I should be married, too.

Mom gave my phone number to somebody who I apparently knew growing up (though I don’t remember) at a wedding a couple years ago.  I actually went out with that guy - bad decision!  Dad will send me an e-mail (snailmail, too) or leave me a voicemail recommending someone he’s met or seen on local television.  I think that both of their efforts stem from the fear that I’ll never get married.

I’m not saying that they might not introduce me to someone great…it just hasn’t happened yet and until it does…I still love being single!!!

Our friends over at the WNYC4P are having their 2nd “Cocktails with the Coalition” tonight, 6 PM, Pearl Street Bar & Grill, 2nd Floor.  It’s not a meeting…it’s just conversation and networking with friends…be there if you can!

 

Jack BauerOriginally uploaded by Victor Bracco.

So, if you’ve been on this site in the past couple weeks, you know I’m a HUGE 24 fan which is mostly because of its lead actor, Kiefer Sutherland, who makes the show.

I always liked his work back in the 1990s, but he did some movies that I didn’t really care for. So, I admit that I was skeptical when I saw the promos for 24 5 years ago. But from the first episode, I was hooked. Initially, it was because of how the show ran, in “real time”.

Now, 4 years later, the reason I watch is simply because of Kiefer Sutherland. He’s the reason I tune my television to Fox every Monday night.

Tonight’s episode ended with Sutherland’s character, Jack Bauer and one of the criminals and an explosion…of course…tune in next week…

I have to say though, that although, Sutherland has said that the show could go on without him, I don’t think I’d watch it…it wouldn’t be the same!

Plummage 

Originally uploaded by Paul Sparks.

For those of you who caught the story on the news, word is that the peacock was found and has been safely returned to the Buffalo Zoo.  Craig the peacock flew out of his cage last week on Thursday.  He spent the past few days on Woodward.  And then the zookeepers went and got him back this morning.
Spring is a perfect time to go and visit the zoo. You’ll get a little exercise and see some of the cool animals that reside there.

I love the zoo. I live close enough to hear the animals from my house. It’s mostly the hyenas in the middle of the night and sometimes it is the lions on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It’s a very cool thing to wake up to!

I admit it.  Lost had me hooked from the first season…and I started watching at the beginning of this season…But all the breaks from consecutive new shows turned me off.  It was too hard to follow the show with all the repeat episodes they were playing.

Tonight, a new episode is airing and I have to tell you that while I really enjoyed the first season and the first few episodes of the second, they’ve ‘lost’ me as a viewer…

Just got back from dinner at Nektar (thanks Mark!)…and thought I’d give you my review (not that it’ll influence you or not)…

The atmosphere is nice…subdued…started out with a cocktail (long day at the office).  Good cocktail…nice and strong, just the way I like it.  I had a house salad, which although tasted pretty good, was difficult to eat…you couldn’t actually spear the lettuce on your fork the way it was cut.  Then I had the halibut special…which was very good…served with garlic spinach (to avoid the garlic brussel sprouts) and mini potato pancakes…

All in all…a good experience, but not a spectacular meal….I’ll have to go back to try one of the regular menu items and see if it blows me away…

Jack’s Back

Originally uploaded by tmichaelmurdock.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more exciting, they throw in a couple of plot twists you ABSOLUTELY didn’t see coming!!! (disclaimer - don’t read if you haven’t seen tonight’s episode)

Wayne Palmer coming to see Aaron, the Secret Service agent who served his brother, and gets run off the road…by whom? The Vice President? The VP is very smarmy…and I don’t like him…

But the big surprise was that the intelligence sold to the terrorists came from Audrey???

Can’t wait until next week…oh and by the way, “Prison Break” is a great way to lead into “24″…