Hi Reader,

Quite recently, I discovered that I was Chinese.

Well, not exactly. I've always known that I was of Chinese descent, but it wasn't always presented to me very clearly.

I probably discovered this very obvious phenomenon when I entered college. Having gone to a city college, I suddenly found myself surrounded by a sea of Asian students. For the first time, I felt connected to my heritage.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized this wasn't just about being Chinese. It's about how every family quietly shapes what we find beautiful, comforting and familiar.

Before college, I had grown up in a very middle class suburban neighborhood in Queens, NY, surrounded by my mostly non-Asian friends. So I adapted to my environment. I enjoyed pizza, pierogis, eggplant parm sandwiches as well as Chinese-Trinidadian food that was served at home.

Being from New York, I think it was very easy to be an environmental sponge....

Continue reading here.

In Gratitude,

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Personal note from Susan:

A week with no theme

Paris got hit by another heatwave. Thankfully this one wasn't as bad as the last. This time, temps were still high during the day but the most important and sanity saving fact is that temperatures dropped into the low 70s at night. It doesn't sound like much but it makes a huge difference in these old Parisian buildings that just seem to soak up the sun and heat. Talk about absorbing your environment!

So I tried to save my tired, overheated butt by going to my gym and local tea house, both of which have excellent air-conditioning. PS: that photo of a fit woman working out is NOT me. It's a trainer shower me proper posture. Although my health is pretty good, I had to have a minor medical procedure done that created not-so-pleasant emotions. That is a photo of me post crying. I feel that those vulnerable moments count in our memory too. My life doens't always have to be shiny. Just real.

Crazily enough, the heat didn't affect everyone the same. Some people were still doing construction, like my lovely upstairs neighbors, and others were busy leaving their usual treasures in the street. One group was even brave enough to move a gigantic plant when it was like 98 degrees. Am I just a weak New Yorker?

Some things that happend in Paris this week but I didn't get photos of - France lost to Spain in the World Cup :( , and it was Bastille Day on the 14th. Both happened on the same day. It could have been a double awesome celebration, but it was just one level awesome. That's good enough for me!

Lastly, we have to discuss food. Am I the only one to be excited about the new Lidl opening up in the hood? What's the NYC equivalent? To me, Aldi is like Trader Joes and Lidl, like Tar-jay? I know, my US brain needs to stop comparing but I can't help it.

One day, I popped into a local restaurant looking for a Bahn mi sandwich (can you tell that it's one of my favorite easy things to eat)? Well I didn't track one down, but I found the most delicious ravilois at a place called Potes & Ravoilis, literally means, "buddies and raviolis." Ok I'm down with Paris' infatuation with Chinese food. I'm Chinese after all ;)

Have a good weekend my Feng Shui loves! xo

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