“Most mixed-race people associate with one race over the other.” The first time I heard this, my mind jumped to every mixed-race person I knew. Specifically, half-white, half-something-else people. Barack Obama. Henry Golding. Jo Koy. Yes, I suppose I can name ‘one race’ for each person even though they are mixed. Obama is the first … Continue reading What I Need to Say About My Mixed-Race Identity
Why We Love the Barista Ken Doll
Guys, it’s happened. Mattel has released a barista ken doll. And we’re Thrilled with a capital T. The first reason is because the official title of the doll is “Careers Ken Barista.” Notice it says “Careers.” That means Mattel (aka society) now sees barista-hood as a proper career! No more jabs about baristas being aimless … Continue reading Why We Love the Barista Ken Doll
My First Shift at Palate Bubs and Ice Cream
1:00 p.m. Clock into Palate Bubs & Ice Cream. Heidi’s maneuvering the waffle iron, Georgia’s offering samples to customers, and Tina’s working the register. Okay, I can do this. 1:05 p.m. A customer asks which signature ice cream is my favorite. 1:06 p.m. Well, my top three is Dawson’s Pile, Guavalicious, and Oh My Pumpkin Pie. Peanut Butter … Continue reading My First Shift at Palate Bubs and Ice Cream
What You Need to Know About Palate Bubs and Ice Cream
What does Florida not have enough of? Yes, you got it. Ice cream shops. But Palate Coffee Brewery’s newest establishment is serving up more than your average rocky road. In true Palate fashion, we got a few surprises up our coffee-stained sleeve. Bubble Waffles Everybody’s talking about it—by everybody I mean Instagram. #bubblewaffles has taken … Continue reading What You Need to Know About Palate Bubs and Ice Cream
What “American” Means to Me
I avoided it a lot. I read NPR stories about it. I liked my friend’s tweet about it. But whenever the video appeared of President Trump’s rally chanting, “send her back!”, I leapt off my chair and crawled under the desk until it was over. I’m not an immigrant. Nor am I a child of … Continue reading What “American” Means to Me
My Week of Seoul Searching
Day 1 Two words: sensory overload. Hongdae is a stacked array of Parisian-inspired dessert bars, skin food labs, multilevel arcades, karaoke bars, and cafés boasting fruity lattés topped with marshmallows and whipped cream. There’s a sleek Boba tea spot with a line of people waiting behind a velvet barrier rope. A woman with a headset … Continue reading My Week of Seoul Searching
How to Be an Outsider in Cambodia
“Can you speak Khmer?” The customs officer asks me this with his eyes squinted. It’s 10 p.m. at the Phnom Penh airport and I just got off a six-hour flight. “Can I speak—no, no, I can’t,” I answer him, blinking. “Where were you born?” he asks. Literally, you have my passport in your hand. “USA.” … Continue reading How to Be an Outsider in Cambodia
