Asian Avenue magazine - January 2019

asian avenue magazine January 2019 Volume 14 Issue 1

Connecting Cultures Linking Lives

MEET DENVER DENTIST

DR. LINDA NGUYEN

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR Year of the Earth Pig begins Feb. 5, 2019 2019 REAL ESTATE TRENDS BY LISA NGUYEN

CHINESE ZODIAC what’s your sign?

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CATER YOUR NEXT EVENT! $45 for 50 pieces of sushi

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JANUARY 2019 in this issue EVENTS

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Event calendar

CURRENT EXHIBIT

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14

Denver Museum of Nature & Science currently features an exhibit and IMAX about the colorful country Cuba

In Singapore, street vendors prepare for lunar new year with red decorations and trinkets for shoppers.

SPOTLIGHT

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Meet Denver’s newest super dentist: Dr. Linda Nguyen

ASIAN AMERICA

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Top moments in Asian America that moved us in 2018

COVER STORY

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14

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Asian Avenue’s Lunar New Year Celebration on Feb. 2 The History of Chinese New Year through many dynasties 2019 Chinese zodiac - what is your sign?

FEATURE

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For Lisa Nguyen, helping families find homes is not just a job... it’s a calling.

RESTAURANT PEEK

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Pho Kim in Aurora features aromatic pho bowls, spicy bun bo hue, and fish sauce chicken wings

HUMOR COLUMN

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Give me liberty or give me beef satay!

BOOK REVIEWS

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20

All You Can Ever Know

by Nicole Chung Rainbirds

by Clarissa Goenawan

MOVIE REVIEW

22

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January 2019 | Table of Contents

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P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 E-mail: info@asianavemag.com www.asianavemag.com

Aquaman is the perfect holiday treat

ON SCENE

29

ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE

How many boxes do you check?

A panel discussion hosted by Sakura Foundation

Find us @AsianAveMag

#AsianAveMag

Dear Asian Avenue readers, Two years ago, I shared a bittersweet announcement that I would be moving to San Diego to be closer to my husband’s family. During this time, we welcomed our daughter, Cadence, into the world; enjoyed the delicious Asian foods and desserts of SoCal; and basked in the sunny weather of San Diego. While we have been fortunate to have this opportunity to live in ‘America’s Finest City,’ we are excited to announce that we will be moving back to Denver in the coming months.

As we welcome the new year, 2019 will certainly be a new chapter for us. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with you—our readers—and thank you for your continued support since 2006. Denver’s Asian American community, although smaller in numbers than San Diego, is strong, diverse and active. The community is constantly coming together for events and programs, including the upcoming lunar new year festivities.

In this issue, learn about how the Chinese New Year is believed to have began, many dynasties ago. And we hope you will join us at our annual Lunar New Year Dinner Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 2. This year, the event will be held at Empress Seafood Restaurant in Denver with a dragon and lion dance performance by the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center. Other new year celebrations will take place throughout the month of February. Check them out!

Enjoy and happy new year (again)!

Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine | www.asianavemag.com

magazine

asian avenue Publisher & Founder CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO

Marketing Manager JOIE HA

President ANNIE GUO VANDAN

Photographer TRANG LUONG

Senior Designer C.G. YAO

Staff Writer PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG

Editorial Director MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ

Staff Writer AMY NG

on the cover

advertising

Lunar new year begins on February 5, 2019 with the year of the pig.

Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Singaporean, and more, families will celebrate over dinner. Other traditions are to: enjoy lion and dragon dancing, hand out red envelopes, and clean their homes.

Looking to promote your business?

Asian Avenue magazine offers businesses the most cost-effective way to reach consumers in the Denver/Boulder metro areas and beyond. For more information, call 303.937.6888 or e-mail us at marketing@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates.

contributing writers contributing photographers Phong Nguyen, Stacey Shigaya Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 19321449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine. Authors may have consulting or other business relationships with the companies they discuss.

Published by Asian Avenue Magazine, Inc. P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 | info@asianavemag.com

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President’s Note | asian avenue magazine

7

upcoming events on feb. 2

2019 Chinese New Year Celebration

Saturday, February 2 | 12pm to 4pm Southridge Recreation Center 4800 McArthur Ranch Rd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130 Tickets: $8 in advance | $11 at the door For more info or to purchase tickets, visit greatwallchineseacademy.org/denverchinesenewyear.html.

The Great Wall Chinese Academy is excited to present their annual Chinese New Year Celebration in collaboration with Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association and Highlands Ranch Community Association. From 12pm to 4pm, enjoy the cultural fair and foods at the Taste of China exhibit. A performance show (tickets needed) will take place from 2pm to 3pm, featuring Chinese lion dance, yo-yo, folk dance, kung fu, calligraphy, and more.

2019 Colorado Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday, February 2 | 10:30am to 3:30pm Citypoint Church | 200 S University Blvd. | Denver, CO 80209 Tickets: $25 For more info or to purchase tickets, visit denverchineseschool.org.

Send community events to info@asianavemag.com.

Asian Avenue’s Lunar New Year Celebration

Saturday, February 2 | 5pm to 7:30pm Empress Seafood Restaurant | 2825 W Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80219 Tickets: $40 General | $30 Student For more info or to purchase tickets, visit asianavemag.com/pig.

Happy New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin), Gong Hey Fat Choy (Cantonese), and Cung Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese)! Celebrate the new year with Asian Avenue by enjoying a 10-course Chinese dinner, Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center Dragon and Lion Dance, silent auction and gifts! The menu will feature peking duck, shrimp with walnuts, sizzling beef steak with black pepper, fried crispy chicken, steamed whole fish, and seafood soup, among other dishes. This annual dinner is a time for our readers and the general Denver community to come together and celebrate Asian culture.

第4４回 デンバー

紅白歌合戦

44th Denver Red vs White Singing Contest

Take a Journey to the Far East right here in Denver and experience the most exciting Chinese cultural event, the Chinese New Year Celebration. Enjoy first-class on-stage shows by internationally-renowned and award-winning artists from China and around the United States performing acrobats, magic, folk and opera songs, lion dance, Kung Fu, dances and more. Savor a variety of specially made authentic Chinese food. Experience folk artworks and crafts, calligraphy, traditional costumes, and more.

January 26th, 2019 Seating: 11a.m. Show: 12p.m.

Place: Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple 1947 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80202 Phone: 303-295-1844 *Admission Free Door Prizes *Japanese Bento Box available to purchase. *Please order your Kohaku DVD at the entrance!

8

January 2019 | Event Calendar

CUBA 2D

Denver Museum of Nature & Science Run Dates through January 23, 2019 Run Time: 50 minutes Showtimes Daily: 10:30am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm

Directed by: Genre: Length:

Produced by: Distributor: Website:

Experience a land of spectacular beauty that’s home to people renowned for their passion in the film Cuba 2D. The island nation is preserved in time yet poised on the cusp of dramatic change. Cuba’s vibrant culture, distinctive colonial architecture, and unspoiled ecosystems all provide a vivid window into the past.

You will be transported across breathtaking island landscapes, below the ocean surface to dazzling reefs, and into streets invigorated by music and dance in the heart of Havana. This film is the perfect complement to the temporary exhibition, ¡CUBA!

Peter Chang Documentary 96 min Golden Gate 3D, BBC Earth, Giant Screen Films & Giant Dome Theater Giant Screen Films www.dmns.org/imax/current-films/cuba-2d

CUBA REVEALED Meet contemporary Cubans featured in life-sized portraits paired with short excerpts from interviews, offering a chorus of voices—from Cuba and abroad, young and old, urban and rural, pragmatic and optimistic. Cuba is home to more than 11 million people, who can trace their ancestry to indigenous people, Spanish colonists, enslaved African, and immigrants from the Philippines, China, Europe, the Canary Islands, Jamaica, and Haiti.

Open daily 9am to 5pm Now through January 20, 2019 ¡CUBA! is a lively exhibition for all ages, where you’ll be immersed in the extraordinary biodiversity, cultural traditions, and daily life of this intriguing country.

For tickets, visit: www.dmns.org/cuba Current Exhibit | asian avenue magazine

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MEET DENVER’S NEWEST SUPER DENTIST

By Annie Guo VanDan

Local dentist Dr. Linda M. Nguyen has been practicing dentistry at Barotz Dental since 2017.

Her impressive background and experience has afforded her an incredibly advanced dental skillset, enabling her to deliver life-changing dentistry for her patients.

Dr. Nguyen says if she had to pinpoint a particular experience that motivated her to become a dentist, it would be her mission trip to Honduras.

“At CU Boulder, I joined the Global Dental Brigades. We raised funds and supplies to set up mobile dental clinics in Honduras,” says Dr. Nguyen.

She assisted in dental procedures as well as demonstrated flossing and brushing techniques for hundreds of people lined up waiting to receive care.

“Seeing hundreds of villagers entering with a mouthful of pain and transforming those moments to pain relief and gratitude was something I couldn’t shake.”

“Once I felt that calling, I couldn’t look back. The more I delved in, the more I loved it, and it’s a feeling that continues to resonate today.”

Dr. Nguyen graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Chemistry before earning her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine.

Following dental school, Dr. Nguyen was selected to one of the nation’s

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January 2019 | Spotlight

Dr. Linda Nguyen

most prestigious and intensive residency programs with the South Texas Veteran’s Healthcare System Advanced Education in General Dentistry. There, she provided superior care by marrying cutting-edge techniques with traditional evidence-based research.

Born and raised in Denver, Dr. Nguyen’s wide array of skills includes dental implantology, advanced periodontics, endodontics and orthodontics. She is a constant learner and continually adds to her repertoire to better serve her patients.

She acknowledges that dentistry is ever-changing, and as such it is impossible to solely use the same techniques over and over again.

“It’s about narrowing down what works, what’s predictable, doing what’s right—while also being keen to what new developments are out there. In order to help my patients to the greatest extent possible, I am diligent about expanding my skillset and learning the right techniques.”

As the Associate Doctor at Barotz Dental, Dr. Nguyen is excited for the opportunity to provide world-class dentistry in a unique, personal setting.

She says, “At Barotz Dental, we offer Total Dental Solutions, which gives me the ability to take care of my patients from A- to-Z. You won’t be referred from one doctor to another because we can handle all aspects of your care in one convenient location.”

“We are also unique in that we take the time to know our patients on a personal and professional level, ensuring we help them achieve their dental goals by working together to achieve a lifetime of dental health.”

She advises patients not to wait until they have a problem before seeing a dentist.

“Don’t wait until you have pain and a problem occurs before making an appointment. Tooth problems are largely preventable, so take the time to find a trustworthy, clinically excellent dentist who gets to know you and is an advocate for your overall health.”

Dr. Nguyen is passionate about giving back. She has provided dentistry abroad for the less fortunate and helped rebuild shelters for battered victims. In her free time, she enjoys trying new food, hiking, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.

303 16th St Mall, Suite 250 Denver, CO 80202 303-595-4994

www.DenverDentist.com

TOP moments in Asian America that moved us in 2018 ASIAN AMERICANS WOWED AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS. CHLOE KIM made taking home a gold medal look easy. She became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding medal with back-to-back 1080-degree spins on her second and third jumps at the PyeongChang Games – a combination no other woman has done in competition. Since her win, she’s continued to show why she’s the best, winning the women’s halfpipe competition at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix.

MIRAI NAGASU made history when she became the first American woman to land a triple Axel at the Olympics during the team event free skate. Her 137.53 score helped Team USA win the bronze medal.

Years of hard work paid off in 2018 for MAIA AND ALEX SHIBUTANI, known as the Shib Sibs, who walked away from the Winter Olympics as ice dancing bronze medalists. The brother-sister duo not only became the first ice dancers of Asian descent to medal at the Olympics, they also are the first sibling pair from the United States to do so.

NATHAN CHEN had a rough start to the Olympics, but came back at his final event to pull off a historic performance.

His free skate made history with five clean quads during an Olympics game.

His 297.35 score catapulted him from 17th place to first until the final group of skaters of the night. Chen finished fifth overall, but his redemptive skate showed promise for what could come in 2022.

“ASIAN AUGUST” TOPPED A YEAR OF MILESTONES FOR HOLLYWOOD REPRESENTATION. “CRAZY RICH ASIANS” made history and started off strong with a $35 million opening at the box office. The film’s success has been credited with opening more doors for Asian American-led stories, and heading into 2019, it’s been nominated for two Golden Globes, four Critics’ Choice Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. A sequel is currently in development, meaning there’ll be a lot more to celebrate about this franchise in the coming years.

“SEARCHING” (a thriller told entirely through screens that was #StarringJohnCho) captivated audiences at Sundance, taking home the Alfred Sloan Prize and the NEXT Audience Award. Its nationwide release in August brought the film’s total gross to over $73 million worldwide – not bad for a $1 million budget for this indie film, which was the directorial debut of 27-year-old Aneesh Chaganty.

Noah Centineo, “To All the Boys” was one of Netflix’s most-rewatched original films in 2018, according to the company, and a sequel is already on its way.

WITH MIDTERM ELECTION WINS, 2019 WILL KICK OFF WITH THE MOST ASIAN AMERICANS EVER IN CONGRESS. Three new Asian American and Pacific Islander freshmen representatives-elect will bring the total number of AAPIs elected to Congress this year to 20, according to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Andy Kim, who will represent New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, unseated Republican incumbent Tom MacArthur in a race called a week after Election Day. Kim became the first Korean American elected to Congress in nearly 20 years.

Then there was TJ Cox, whose race for California’s 21st Congressional District was initially called in favor of Republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao. But as the votes continued to be counted, Cox didn’t lose hope. He refused to concede – which ended up being the right move because, a month after Election Day, the calls for Valadao were retracted and Cox was declared the apparent winner by 862 votes.

TJ Cox

Netflix’s “TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE,” an adaptation of Jenny Han’s novel of the same name, won hearts with its endearing main character and a teen love story that had fans swooning. Starring Lana Condor and

Original Post: www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/13-moments-asian-america-moved-us-2018-n950516

Asian America | asian avenue magazine

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Join us to celebrate

Lunar New Year!

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January 2019 | Cover Story

Lunar New Year Dinner Ticket Form Thank you for joining us to celebrate the Year of the Pig! Tickets can also be purchased at

www.asianavemag.com/pig Contact asianavemag@gmail.com or 303.937.6888 if you have questions or concerns.

Full Name:

_______________________________

Tel:

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# of Student Tickets [$30]

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_______________________________ Please make check payable to: Asian Avenue magazine

Include this form and send to: Asian Avenue magazine PO Box 221748 | Denver, CO 80222

2019 Lunar New Year | asian avenue magazine

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THE HISTORY of CHINESE NEW YEAR Compiled by Asian Avenue Staff

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January 2019 | Cover Story

It is unclear when exactly the celebration of the New Year began in China. Historians traced the origins during the Shang Dynasty (1766 BC - 1122 BC). Some believe that the practice began as early as the period of Emperor Yao and Shun’s (~2300 BC) reign.

When the tradition first began, the date of the New Year celebration varied from mid-winter to early spring. However, the maturity of the solar-based calendar provided Emperor Wu (157 BC - 87 BC) of the Han Dynasty with a consistent means to measure a period of a year.

The celebration starts on the first day of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar as the beginning of the year.

The following is a brief list of developments in New Year celebrations at different points in history: • Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun [~2300 BC]: There were only a small scale of New Year celebration activities.

• Shang Dynasty [1766 BC - 1122 BC]: New Year celebrations started as a result of religious observances.

• Zhou Dynasty [1046 - 256 BC]: Observations of farming work that occured in the Spring.

• Han Dynasty [206 BC - 220 A.D.]: New Year celebrations are officially established as the first day of the first month (of the traditional Chinese calendar) and crack bamboo appeared (crack bamboo will create a loud cracking sound when set on fire. It is believed that the sound drives away evil).

• Wei Dynasty [220 - 265 A.D.] and Jin Dynasty [265 - 420]: Fireworks are used in New Year celebrations. The tradition of Shou Sui formed.

• Qin Dynasty [221 – 207 A.D.]: There was a stronger association between time and life.

• Tang Dynasty [618 - 907 A.D.]: Celebrations evolved into social events.

• Song Dynasty [960 - 1279 A.D.]: Firecrackers became a prominent sound.

• Qing Dynasty [1644 - 1911]: Dragon dances and similar performances were integrated into the celebrations.

Residents of Mianyang, China, dress up for dragon dances to welcome the Year of the Dog in 2018.

The history of Chinese New Year was closely associated with agrarian society in old times.

The earliest worshiping activities became the embryo of the festival. People attributed their food, clothes and harvest to the god and ancestor’s will, so they held sacrifice ceremonies to pray for blessing and peace at the end of each year.

However, the name of ‘Nian’ (year), in fact, emerged in the Zhou Dynasty, and worshiping performance also turned to be social practice to observe the beginning of farming work in spring. Not only worshiping ancestor and praying for good harvest, they also began to enshrine Kitchen God, Gate God, Joy God, Wealth God, and Well God. In the Qin Dynasty, the turn of a year cycle was called Shangri, Yuanri and Gaisui, and October was taken as the start of a new year cycle.

During the Han Dynasty, people had partially got rid of the blind belief in divinities and ancestors, but stressed more on the association between time and life.

The festival date had been really entrenched since the emperor Wudi of Han Dynasty fixed the first day of January in the Chinese lunar cal-

endar as the New Year’s Day, which has been using till the present days.

At that time, Chinese New Year had become a nationwide event. There was a big festival fair launched by the government, and civil people also gathered for celebration. New custom activities also arose, such as burning the bamboo (setting off fireworks nowadays), hanging peach boards (pasting Spring Couplets nowadays) and staying up at night.

In Wei and Jin Dynasties, the celebration was still a grand fair for the government, and common people would use the cracking sound of burning bamboo to subdue the evil spirits.

The tradition of staying up was also widely kept, and people would dress in tidy clothing to kneel down to senior family members. The word Yuandan and Xinnian were created to mark the turn between two years.

Towards Tang and Song Dynasties, the celebration was finally given a standard name, Yuanri. In the flourishing Tang Dynasty, the function of Chinese New Year had shifted from worshiping and praying for good to social entertainment. People got public holidays for gathering with family. At that time, it evolved 2019 Lunar New Year | asian avenue magazine

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into a festival for people’s jubilation sharing indeed.

With the invention of black powder in the Song Dynasty, firecrackers also came into the celebration.

From Song Dynasty to Qing Dynasty, the Lunar New Year had been named Yuandan, and celebrations were more of social interaction. People began to visit friends, relatives and gave gifts to sharing blessing. More interesting activities such dragon dance, lion dance, walking on stilts and Shehuo performance took place in the history of this period.

In 1912, the government decided to abolish Chinese New Year and the lunar calendar, but adopted the Gregorian calendar instead. People were unwilling to change the tradition, so the policy did not carry out successfully. A compromise was made that both calendar systems were kept, and the Gregorian calendar used in government, factory, school and other organizations while lunar calendar used for traditional festivals. The first day on Gregorian calendar called Yuandan (New Year’s Day) and the first day on lunar calendar called Chunjie (Spring Festival or Chinese New Year).

After 1949, the Spring Festival was listed as a nationwide public holiday, and people got days off work and school. Today, it is the most important traditional festival in China, and many old customs are inherited from its ancient origins and development throughout the Chinese New Year history.

According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the “Year.”

The “Year” looked like an ox with the head of a lion, and was believed to inhabit the sea. On the night of New Year’s Eve, the “Year” would come out to harm animals, people, and their properties.

Eventually, people discovered that the “Year” feared the color red, fire, and loud sounds. Therefore, for self-protection, people formed the habits of posting red Dui Lian in front of their houses, launching fireworks, and hanging lanterns at year end.

Lunar New Year

The ancient Chinese lunar calendar, on which Chinese New Year is based, functioned as a religious, dynastic and social guide. Oracle bones inscribed with astronomical records indicate that the calendar existed as early as 14th century B.C., when the Shang Dynasty was in power.

The calendar’s structure wasn’t static: It was reset according to which emperor held power and varied from one region to another.

The Legend of Chinese New Year’s Origin

Thousands of flying lanterns with handwritten wishes are released into the sky at the Taiwan Lantern Festival.

It is believed that Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the “Year.”

The Chinese calendar was a complex timepiece. Its parameters were set according to the lunar phases as well as the solar solstices and equinoxes. Yin and yang, the opposing but complementary principles that make up a harmonious world, also ruled the calendar.

Chinese New Year typically begins with the new moon that occurs between the end of January and the end of February, and it lasts about 15 days, until the full moon arrives with the Festival of Lanterns.

References: www.chinesenewyears.info/chinese-new-year-history.php www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/new-year/history.htm

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January 2019 | Cover Story

Attend one of the Lunar New Year Events in Colorado With so many Lunar New Year celebrations around town, it is easy to be excited but overwhelmed.

For the novice, who wants to discover more about Asian culture, attend one of these events: • Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019: Chinese New Year - Performances and Taste of China hosted by Great Wall Academy at Southridge Recreation Center (greatwallchineseacademy.org/denverchinesenewyear.html) • Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019: Colorado Chinese New Year Celebration hosted by Denver Chinese School, Confucius Institute at Community College of Denver and Chinese American Foundation of Colorado at Citypoint Church (EventBrite) • Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019: Asian Avenue’s Lunar New Year Dinner Celebration at Empress Seafood Restaurant (asianavemag.com/pig) • Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019: Nathan Yip Foundation’s Chinese New Year Party at Grand Hyatt Denver (nathanyipfoundation.org/event/chinese-new-year-party) • Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019: Chinese New Year Celebration hosted by Asian-Pacific Association of Longmont at Silver Creek High School (apalconnect.org/chinese-new-year-2019) • Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019: Chinese New Year Celebration hosted by Denver-Kunming Sister Cities Committee at Empress Seafood Restaurant (denversistercities.org)

How to Host a Lunar New Year Dinner at Home

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

For the veteran who would like to organize a Lunar New Year dinner party, here’s a checklist: • Create a menu of dishes, including one with noodles. A noodle-type dish symbolizes long life.

• Through social media, send out your invitation at least two weeks in advance.

• Purchase red envelopes. You can either stuff them with coins or lottery scratchers.

• For entertainment, you can either hire a live entertainment troupe to perform the lion and dragon dance or consider finding videos on YouTube to share with your guests.

• Determine the year’s Chinese zodiac animal sign and the signs of your guests. Share with them their zodiac predictions for the year.

Whether you are planning to attend a Lunar New Year event or organizing a personal party, Happy Lunar New Year to you and your loved ones. Make 2019, the “Year of the Pig,” a year of beloved memories with your families and your circle of friends.

2019 Lunar New Year | asian avenue magazine

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THE CHINESE ZODIAC What’s in store for 2019?

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019 is the Chinese Year of the Brown Earth Pig that starts from February 5, 2019 and ends on January 24, 2020.

The new Chinese year will encapsulate the nature of the pig - sturdy, determined, and generous. In general, in the coming year we will see a steady increase in wealth and more room for growth than 2018. See what the new year has in store for you according to the Chinese zodiac.

Pig

1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 Pigs will have a small setback in their careers in 2019 as 2019 is their birth sign year. But everything will turn out for the good when they begin moving. The last month of 2019 is the best time for Pigs to achieve their goals. Health-wise, Pigs will have an average time in 2019. Pig. They should pay attention to traffic safety when on the road. Pigs will have very good financial prospects in 2019 and will do well in their investments. 2019 is a lucky year for male Pigs in their relationships. For female Pigs, your relationship’s development will not be as good as for males of your sign. You will need to spend more time on finding a partner but suffer a temporary lack of progress.

Rat

1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Rats should do their best to improve their work and make the most of opportunities to take off their career. Those who are working can be optimistic of a promotion or an increase in salary. Generally, Rats will have nothing to worry about on the health front. With finance, luck will turn for the better in 2019.

But Rats should be prudent with investments, or they won’t be able to make ends meet. They need to protect their belongings from damage. Though Rats will spend a lot this year, there will also be unexpected income and rewards. Quarrels with partners will arise easily for married Rats. They should work at communicating with their partners more and dealing with any disagreements in good time.

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January 2019 | Year of the Pig

Ox

1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 On the career front, Oxen will be under more pressure but will also earn more. They will need to persevere and be open-minded to understand their situation. Towards the end of the year, their luck will turn for the better in their careers. Oxen will face some bugs in their health. Much attention should be paid to cervical problems and they should avoid drinking and smoking. On the financial front, Oxen’s luck will be steady. When pursuing improvements, they should be proactive and obey the rules. They should never be too greedy in case of damage to property. 2019 will be a lucky year for Oxen in their relationships. They will easily meet and attract a partner.

Tiger

1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Tigers have good career prospects in 2019, with great chances for a promotion. For employees, 2019 is a good year to build a career base. Tigers will get a lot of support from officials or management. Tigers don’t have very good health prospects for 2019. There could be hidden problems with their digestion system. Tigers also need to be aware of their families’ health.

For finances, Tigers have good luck in 2019 and also have some chances to get unexpected financial gains. Tigers are not lucky in love in the year of Pig. Female Tigers will fare better than male Tigers but will easily be misled when building a relationship. Male Tigers will be under pressure when communicating and the relationship will be unstable.

Rabbit

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 There will be unbelievable good luck for white-collar Rabbit workers who struggle in their jobs. If there is any juggling of jobs in the company, Rabbits will be well qualified and hopeful of seizing the opportunity to obtain promotion. With good luck financially, Rabbits will earn a lot on their investments. There will be unexpected income this year for Rabbits. Generally, Rab-

bits will enjoy decent health this year. They will participate in more outdoor activities. It will be advisable for them to join in physical exercise with family and friends, helping to enhance their own good health. In their love lives, neither male nor female Rabbits will see much improvement. Chances of meeting the right one will be rare for them.

Dragon

1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 Dragons will have good luck in the Pig year, making a leap forward in their careers. They will have a good chance of promotion, thus improving both profit and reputation. To achieve higher performance, they will need to be more active. Generally, Dragons’ health will not be so great. The best idea would be to exercise more after work to strengthen their immune systems and preserve a good mood. Dragons will have tremendously good luck on the financial front, but being prudent to avoid damage to property. On the romantic front, Dragons will have good luck. Both male and female Dragons will easily find their ideal lovers. For those Dragons who have found their partners, the time will be ripe to step into marriage.

Snake

1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 Snakes will find it hard to develop their careers in the first half of 2019. However, Snakes are forecast to have an upturn in luck during the year. They must grasp the opportunity; otherwise it will be difficult for them to break the pattern. Financial luck will not be much above par for Snakes in 2019. They must take care of their investments and should prepare to lose some money.

Snakes will need to do more physical exercise to avoid respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Female and male Snakes have different fortunes in love this year. Single female Snakes will be able to marry easily, while married female Snakes should try to prevent their lovers from looking elsewhere. Male Snakes, however, will have bad luck in love.

Horse

1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 Horses will be lucky in their careers. They may be promoted if there is any opportunity. Horses, especially women, may feel off-color because of illness. At times of seasonal change, Horses should always remember to obey traffic rules. They should not drive after alcohol, nor drive over the speed limit. Horses’ income will increase due to promotion. They will be successful in investing with experienced friends and will be greatly rewarded. On the love front, female and male Horses will have different outcomes. Female Horses will be lucky in love, and they can marry their lovers. Good fortune will smile less on male Horses.

They will suffer from great pressure of love and little progress will be made in relationships with their lovers.

Goat

1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Generally, Goats will be out of luck throughout this year. Their careers will be filled with unpredictable changes. They should

pay more attention on their work and be cautious in conversations. Having long endured a state of high pressure, Goats will suffer mental and physical exhaustion. They will be vulnerable to diseases of the respiratory system, stomach and joints.

Goats will be mediocre in regards to wealth. Their income may be unstable and they may have financial challenges. Goats will be enthusiastic enough to fall in love in 2019. Whether male or female they will have good luck with romance, but they should remember to handle their relationships properly.

Monkey

1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 Monkeys will make breakthroughs in their careers and may be promoted in 2019. This year will establish a good business foundation for them for future years. No serious health problems are predicted for Monkeys. They may sometimes have a poor appetite, but the effect of this on their overall health is not expected to be serious. Monkeys are advised to exercise more, in order to improve health and strengthen their bodies.

As long as Monkeys work hard in 2019, they will earn considerable wealth. In 2019, Monkeys will have good luck in relationships. Married Monkeys will have harmonious families. Single Monkeys will find partners easily.

Rooster

1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 Many opportunities will come to Roosters in 2019. Their good work will be recognized by the companies and people they work for. They should make an effort to get along with their colleagues, which will result in better cooperation later on. Roosters will experience generally bad health this year. Great attention should be paid to dietary hygiene and a well-balanced diet. Exercise to build up resistance to illness and pay attention to safety when outside. In 2019, the major source of income for Roosters will be their salaries. Other investments or lottery gains will only contribute a little to their income. Roosters are forecast to have an upturn in relational luck. They should be ready during the year to tie the knot.

Dog

1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 It will be better for Dogs if they do not start any new businesses in 2019. They will need to work hard and take care of their work at hand. Although Dogs’ ability to make money will be good, they must work hard to earn more, both from longterm work and from windfalls. They need to protect their own household goods; for example, they must make sure that sources of electricity and gas are turned off before they go out. Dogs’ health will be average this year. They may experience some stomach problems, but such problems will likely not be very serious, only bothersome. Dogs are advised to have regular health examinations and to take time to refresh their minds by traveling. Single Dogs should be hopeful of meeting the right person in 2019. As for married Dogs, they may be vulnerable to disagreements with their partners.

Chinese Zodiac | asian avenue magazine

19

HELPING FAMILIES FIND HOMES IS NOT JUST A JOB...

IT’S A CALLING.

By Annie Guo VanDan

LISA NGUYEN ePro, RCC

Broker Associate RE/MAX Professionals 143 Union Blvd Suite 120 | Lakewood, CO 80228 Tel: 303-985-4555 Email: lisa.la@remax.net

Showing houses, analyzing market trends and providing housing expertise may be Lisa Nguyen’s day job, but what she does is so much more.

Nguyen defines her job as “being a faithful servant to the real estate community as well as a voice for Asian American women.”

In Denver’s Asian community, she is involved with the Asian Real Estate Association of America and Asian Chamber of Commerce.

Nguyen says: “The career path I have chosen as my calling is residential and commercial real estate mixed with volunteering for causes that help children and education.”

In 2005, she earned her real estate license, shortly after graduating from the University of Colorado Denver with a degree in business management.

As a RE/MAX broker, Nguyen loves the company for empowering women. Dave Liniger, co-founder of RE/MAX, was the first man in real estate to hire and believe in women in the 70’s when other companies only gave women the opportunity to be secretaries and work in administrative positions.

According to Nguyen, “RE/MAX is the most powerful brand in the world. RE/MAX is in 109 different countries and recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion.”

In September 2018, she began filming with the show ‘The American Dream.’ The show’s mission is to educate, empower and engage with their viewers to help them achieve their personal American dream. From homeownership and financial planning to work-life balance and how to live a healthier lifestyle, the program features regular experts on these subjects.

The show that began in San Diego now extends nationwide, featuring the most elite realtors and financial advisors from all across the country.

LIZ LEE Assistant

Tel: 248-770-0108 Email: thisislizlee@gmail.com

Lisa Nguyen (left) and Liz Lee (right) provide real estate services as RE/MAX Professionals.

20

January 2019 | Feature

[

]

“The career path I have chosen as my calling is residential

and commercial real estate mixed with volunteering for causes that help children and education.”

- LISA NGUYEN, BROKER ASSOCIATE RE/MAX PROFESSIONALS

*I will continue filming with the show in 2019, highlighting my work in real estate in the Denver community with an emphasis on serving the Asian community,” says Nguyen.

In regards to work-life balance, she says this can be a difficult juggling act, especially as a mother of two.

“Like most mothers, I am exhausted. We work all day and then care for our children. My advice would be to first care for yourself so that you are mentally strong enough to endure the day to day that comes with being a working mother.”

Nguyen continues, “If you are not well physically or mentally, there is no way you will have the will power to love your children the way that they need or to give your clients the attention that they deserve.”

As such, Nguyen has recently hired a full-time assistant, Liz Lee, to help manage her busy schedule and workload.

Nguyen says what keeps her going is staying focused on her goals. “I have set goals to better my children’s futures and remind myself what I still need to give to the world before leaving this Earth.”

Her goals for the new year are to launch her international team—LL International Group at RE/MAX Professionals—and introduce the group to the community through a red carpet launch party. Community leaders will be invited to attend and The American Dream show to film the event.

Her life’s mission is to build up her team in order to have the means to support education for poverty stricken children. In 2019, she will travel to different cities in Asia for speaking engagements as well as real estate work. By 2025, she hopes to fund the construction of a school for children in a third world country.

In regards to the Denver housing market, she explains that interest rates will continue to rise in 2019. More inventory is on the market and the average days for listings are going up.

Trends to watch for this year include: the I-70 highway expansion, the rise of foreign investors in Denver, and the changing demographics in the U.S. “What I mean by changing demographics is the minority breakdown. In the next decade, those who have been considered as minorities, will become the majority,” she notes.

“When looking at the future of business, diversity and inclusion will become more and more relevant in terms of statistics.”

In this Facebook live video, Lisa Nguyen chats with RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos & SVP Mike Reagan at the world headquarters about the importance of diversity in real estate and serving the Asian community in Denver.

The American Dream TV show is a national program featuring expertise on homeownership and financial planning to help viewers achieve their dreams.

Denver Real Estate | asian avenue magazine

21

Pho Kim Vietnamese Noodle Soup Restaurant

12203 E Iliff Ave Unit H Aurora, CO 80014 Tel: 303.481.8020

22

January 2019 | Restaurant Peek

By Annie Guo VanDan Photos by Phong Nguyen

LIKE AND FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM @PHOKIMAURORA Attention Aurora! There is a new local hot spot to get your pho noodle soup fix. Pho Kim Vietnamese Noodle Soup Restaurant in the shopping center on Iliff and Peoria specializes in authentic pho noodle bowls and Vietnamese dishes.

The owner, Loi Nguyen, brings his entrepreneurial spirit and sense of family to the restaurant business. Nguyen opened the restaurant in September 2018 after spending decades working in catering, landscaping and real estate.

Why the name Pho Kim? He was inspired by the names of his two children, Kim Thoa and Kim Phong, both of whom help support the restaurant. Now, with several months under their belt, Pho Kim is thriving with regular customers and daily newcomers. Unlike most pho restaurants that only open for lunch and dinner, Nguyen opens at 9:30 a.m. every morning in order to serve the breakfast crowd.

The most popular dishes are the spring rolls, egg rolls and pho bowls. If you a pho connoisseur, you know that what makes a good pho bowl is its broth. At Pho Kim, the broth is made of oxtail and bones prepared at least 24 hours in advance which results in such deep and aromatic flavors that the broth can standalone without the addition of Sriracha or Hoisin sauce.

While most Coloradans have tasted pho, Bun Bo Hue, is a spicy beef noodle soup that is a favorite at Pho Kim. The dish originated in the central region of Vietnam in the city of Hue, where Nguyen is from.

Other options on the menu include the spring rolls filled with marinated pork in addition to the shrimp, which gives the rolls more flavor, as well as fried chicken wings glazed with a sweet fish sauce.

For a refreshing drink to complement your meal, enjoy a Vietnamese coffee, smoothie drink with boba or coconut juice!

SAMPLE MENU Spring Rolls $4.95

Fresh lettuce, mint, vermicelli, lean pork and shrimp, wrapped in rice paper.

Served with homemade peanut sauce.

Chicken Salad $10.75

Poached chicken with fresh mint, basil, shredded cabbage, carrot, ground peanuts and onions. Tossed in special house dressing.

Special Combo Rice Plate $11.45

Grilled beef, shrimp, chicken, pork and Vietnamese egg rolls served with steamed rice and special house dressing.

Pho Rice Noodle Soup L $10.95 | M $8.95 | S $7.95

Rare steak, tripe, tendon, brisket, flank, beef meatball, chicken, shrimp, tofu. All noodle soups served with bean sprouts, basil, lime and sliced green pepper.

Fried Chicken Wings (6pc) $7.95

With fish sauce flavor (nước mắm)

Vietnamese Iced Coffee & Condensed Milk $4.75 Coconut Juice $4.50

Pho Kim Aurora | asian avenue magazine

23

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GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME

BEEF SATAY!

By Wayne Chan File this under: non-earth shattering news.

I’m just about to head home after a two week long journey to Hong Kong, Taipei, and Phuket. It’s been a great trip, where I got to visit with friends and family, and sample food from different parts of the globe.

But there’s been something I’ve been wondering about since I’ve been here. Actually, it’s something I always wonder about when I come here.

Why do they do such an awful job with English signage?

Now, before you start writing letters or complaining that I’m a typical ugly American who thinks that the world revolves around us, just give me a chance.

What I’m talking about isn’t your typical, translated English rushed out to explain something to us clueless Americans. What I’m talking about are major business signage.

Let me give you an example.

Wooderful Life – This is a boutique in Taiwan selling trinkets and wooden music boxes.

What Do You Fab – Another gift store in Taiwan, with no products remotely resembling The Beatles.

Meat Liberty – A restaurant in Bangkok DIKE – A speaker company, I kid you not.

Funkpeanuts Coffee – Well, it’s a coffee house.

F.A.T. – An airline, which stands for Far Eastern Air Transport Gift Shop: We considerate more for you! – I don’t really remember the place, but I’m guessing it’s a gift shop.

In each of these cases, the business owner came up with the name, and then presumably, decided to spend thousands of dollars on professionally produced signage above their store, in print ads and on all their stationary.

It isn’t a translated sign of a business named in their own

language. These are the names of the stores. Apparently, in their brainstorming to come up with an English name, no one thought, “Hmm…maybe we should run this by a native English speaker?”

Well, what do I know? I know that there are plenty of western businesses that on first glance, seem nonsensical.

I still don’t know what a “Starbucks” is supposed to represent. Maybe in the next couple of years we’ll all be saying things like, “Let’s grab a cup of coffee at Funky P’s and talk about it.”

Maybe there’s some historic reference in Thailand related to protein and freedom. “Give me liberty or give me beef satay!” Look, I admit, I’m clueless.

The real reason I’m wondering about all this is that if I were starting up a business in the U.S. and decided to come up with a Chinese name for the business based on my Chinese speaking abilities, you’d better believe I’d take a moment and send out a copy to a friend or colleague and just ask, “Does this make sense”?

Why? Because I know right now what would happen if I didn’t. It would look something like this (Chinese translated into English, of course): Round Dough Smashed in Face with Fresh Wind: I’ve always wanted to start an artisan pizza place, and who doesn’t like the smell of oregano?

Foot wrapped with Fresh Wind: A shoe store where all the shoes are pre-scented with lavender. Who wouldn’t like that?

Puncture Hole Dough: We can always use more donut shops, am I right?

Actually, I think I’m starting to get the hang of this. Look out world! Freshly Wind, LLC – here I come!

Humor Column | asian avenue magazine

25

bookreview ALL YOU CAN EVER KNOW Author: Nicole Chung Price: $26 | Pages: 240 ISBN: 978-1936-787-975 Publisher: Catapult Website: nicolechung.net Follow Nicole on Twitter @nicole_soojung

Reviewed by: Mary Jeneverre Schultz Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @Jeneverre What does it mean to lose your roots --- within your culture, has made her a beloved voice, Chung tells of her search within your family --- and what happens when you find them? for the people who gave her up, which coincided with the Be prepared to go through the box of tissues. It‘s a tear- birth of her own child. All You Can Ever Know is a profound, jerker. moving chronicle of surprising connections and the reperNicole Chung was born severely premature, placed for cussions of unearthing painful family secrets --- vital readadoption by her Korean parents, and raised by a white ing for anyone who has ever struggled to figure out where family in a sheltered Oregon town. they belong.

From childhood, she heard the story of her adoption as a In past interviews, Chung discusses the issue of adopcomforting, prepackaged myth. She believed that her bio- tion, racism, and writing through grief. logical parents had made the ultimate sacrifice in the hope Nicole Chung has written for The New York Times, GQ, of giving her a better life, that forever feeling slightly out Longreads, BuzzFeed, Hazlitt, and Shondaland, among othof place was her fate as a transracial er publications.

“Growing up I was adoptee.

She is Catapult magazine’s editor in But as Nicole grew up --- facing chief and the former managing editor the only Korean my prejudice her adoptive family couldn’t of The Toast. This is her first book. friends and family see, finding her identity as an Asian American and as a writer, becoming knew, the only Korean more curious about where she came I knew. Sometimes from --- she wondered if the story she’d been told was the whole truth. the adoption—the Heartbreaking and poignant, this abandonment­—upset memoir allows Chung to explore the path of motherhood, race and identime more.” ty. Most of the observations by Chung - Author Nicole Chung are common themes felt by many biracial families. This book should really be recommended reading for parents-to-be, considering adoption through international exchanges or nontraditional avenues.

With the same warmth, candor, and startling insight that

LE CHUNG O C NI

26

January 2019 | Book Review

bookreview Mixing elements of suspense and magical realism, Clarissa Goenawan’s dark, spellbinding debut novel is poised to become an international sensation.

Ren Ishida is nearly finished with graduate school when he receives news of his sister, Keiko’s sudden death. She was viciously stabbed one rainy night on her way home, and there are no leads.

Ren heads to Akakawa to conclude his sister’s affairs, still failing to understand why she chose to abandon the family and Tokyo for this desolate town years ago.

But Ren soon finds himself picking up where Keiko left off, accepting both her teaching position at a local cram school and the bizarre arrangement of free lodging at a wealthy politician’s mansion in exchange for reading to the man’s catatonic wife.

Quickly, Ren discovers he has spiraled into an isolating web of family betrayals and small-town secrets.

It’s amazing but a little eerie how small-town secrets are shut tight from outsiders. Ren takes over his sister’s life, walking the same path, working at the same position at her own desk and engaging with co-workers, employers and those outside of work. Perhaps, it’s a way for Ren to bring closure to his sister’s unexpected death.

In her debut novel, Clarissa Goenawan weaves a story that is utterly enthralling. She explores the mysteries of small-town Japan. Well-crafted and beautiful in tale, Rainbirds captures the emotion of grief, love and loss.

Through the main character’s eyes, the reader can question how hard it is to connect with reality and engage with a small circle of friends. In one part of the novel, Ren returns to his city life and attempts to touch base with his college friends. After the encounter, Ren realizes he is a lone person, traveling through life with no real connections.

He even attempts to reach out with his parents, whom have been out of his life for years. He challenges them about his sister’s death and finally realizes his older sister was adopted.

Without giving away the ending, Ren finds closure in his sister’s death and also resolves to live his life a little differently.

Clarissa Goenawan is an Indonesian-born Singaporean writer. Her award-winning short fiction has appeared in literary magazines and anthologies in Singapore, Australia, the UK, and the US. Rainbirds is her first novel.

RAINBIRDS Author: Clarissa Goenawan Price: $25 | Pages: 337 ISBN: 978-1-61695-855-8 Publisher: SoHo Website: clarissagoenawan.com Follow Clarissa on Twitter @ClaireClaire05

Reviewed by: Mary Jeneverre Schultz Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @Jeneverre

CLARISSA GOENAWAN Book Review | asian avenue magazine

27

Hawaiian-born Jason Momoa splashes through the holiday with his leading role in Warner Bros’ Aquaman.

The DC superhero ruled the holiday box office Christmas Eve, earning $11.2 million from more than 4,000 theaters in North America and brought in a tidal wave of sales globally at $500 million.

Of course, Momoa is the new heartthrob on the big screen. While male viewers complain of never seeing his shirt on, the female audience enjoyed all the eye candy of Momoa.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, “Aquaman,” starring Momoa in the title role.

The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on a journey—one that not only forces him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be... a king.

In this fantasy, breathing underwater is an amazing superpower. Even if you are not into superpowers, the film technology is out of this world.

In “Aquaman,” Arthur Curry’s quest to unite two worlds begins with a challenge

AQUAMAN IS THE PERFECT HOLIDAY TREAT

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

that will test both his strength and the courage of his convictions: to retrieve the Lost Trident of Atlan.

Only the true King of Atlantis can wield it, but to even find it he must partner with Mera, Princess of the ocean kingdom of Xebel, on a treacherous journey over land and sea. The first hurdle Arthur must overcome is his own disinterest in being the solution to anyone’s problem—be it the Atlanteans’ or mankind’s. Up until now, he’s been satisfied operating as something of a super powerful lone wolf, choosing his own waterborne battles and avoiding involvement in any sort of global civil war. Visionary director/co-writer James Wan was excited to undertake the first standalone feature for this complex character.

“Aquaman is a very powerful guy and can handle action on a god-like scale. But what I love most about him is that what drives him comes from a very human place,” he says. “To me, the most important thing is the story I’m telling and that audiences care about the characters and want to go along on their adventure.”

In addition to Momoa’s divided origins, elements of his islander life helped Momoa connect to the character more deeply as well. “Like Arthur, I was a half-breed,

split between Iowa and Hawaii, so I could definitely identify with that. And from the Philippines to Hawaii to Tahiti and Fiji…

Many islands have their celebrated water gods. That resonated with me instantly,” he recalls. That’s not all.

“I studied marine biology growing up in Iowa,” Momoa adds, drawing further comparisons between himself and the character he plays. “Surprisingly, they had this campus in the middle of Des Moines, and it was all aquatics—sharks, eels and so on.

I really love the ocean, being an islander.

It’s something that absolutely scares me, yet draws me in. It’s calming. It’s always evolving. It’s always moving. Like fire, you can just stare at it. The mind’s constantly entertained by it. You can get lost in it.”

Besides checking out Momoa’s physique, it’s a great fantasy story. The half-brother is the villain of the movie.

And viewers will catch a glimpse of Fresh off the Boat’s father/husband Randall Park, who makes a sneak appearance on a newscast, then at the end of the movie which begs for a sequel.

Without giving too much away, go watch this holiday escapade for a feelgood ending.

Follow Mary Jeneverre Schultz on Instagram @Jeneverre.

Jason Momoa as Aquaman in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “AQUAMAN,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Pictures™ & ©DC Comics

28

January 2019 | Movie Review

Executive Director of Sakura Foundation Gary Yamashita, Keiko Ozaki, Jill Ozaki, Robin Yasui, Meredith Sagara, Daniel Kim, and Program Director of Sakura Foundation Stacey Shigaya.

HOW MANY BOXES DO YOU CHECK?

By Stacey Shigaya

Daniel Kim speaks on the panel about being mixed race.

Robin Yasui moderates the panel with Meredith Sagara (left) Keiko Ozaki (second from right) and Jill Ozaki (right).

For more information about Sakura Foundation, visit www.sakurafoundation.org.

Think back to the last time you filled out a form or survey that asked for your ethnicity. How many boxes did you check?

Some of us just check one – many times because we are not aware of our full ethnic background. Other times we want to check two, three or more boxes but are only asked to check one.

It is important for our community to allow space for each of its members to express their whole and true selves, especially with regard to our ethnicity. Being encouraged to explore and share our backgrounds builds self-awareness, pride in our heritage and helps us realize that by discovering our differences, we are simultaneously shining a light on our similarities. We all have traditions, beliefs and celebrations that can be traced back to our ethnic heritage.

On a recent cold December Sunday, a warm gathering took place at The Alliance Center in downtown Denver. “Checking Multiple Boxes: Stories and Perspectives in Our Multi-Ethnic Japanese American Community” was presented by Sakura Foundation.

The event was skillfully and thoughtfully moderated by Dr. Robin Yasui and featured multi-ethnic Asian panelists Daniel Kim, Meredith Sagara and Keiko Ozaki.

Jill Ozaki, Keiko’s mother of Irish, German

and English descent, also participated on the panel. The perception of the words “hapa” and “hafu” were discussed. Several people felt it was a comfort to find a word that describes and identifies them.

The moniker gave them a sense of place in the world of being part one thing and part something else.

The audience consisted of a blend of ethnicities and ages. Many multi-ethnic members were very forthcoming and helpful in offering their own stories and building a bridge of understanding in the room, which will hopefully permeate future conversations in the community.

There are now more accessible means of delving into one’s own ethnic heritage.

Websites such as ancestry.com and DNA kits like 23andMe can provide vital information to shed light on one’s background.

The discussion with the panel and the audience included the generational differences that exist in our community in addition to our ethnic and cultural differences.

There was a desire to discuss these issues to bring understanding and inclusion to our families and community.

It was acknowledged that there is growing acceptance of a variety of cultures in every day life – you can find sushi in college cafeterias – but there is still room to grow, and many more boxes to check.

On Scene | asian avenue magazine

29

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When life is easy, plan for hard times.

When life is pleasing, enjoy it.

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PRESENTED BY THE CHINESE AMERICAN FOUNDATION OF COLORADO, CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF DENVER AND DENVER CHINESE SCHOOL

Saturday, February 2nd

Cultural Fair, Taste of China and Marketplace

10:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.

Citypoint Church (near Cherry Creek Mall) 200 S. University Blvd.

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Experience authentic Chinese food, cultural displays, entertainment, music, artworks and crafts, calligraphy, traditional costumes, and more.

Celebration Show General Admission: $25 Golden Circle: $50 1:30 p.m.– 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy first-class cultural performances by internationally-renowned and award-winning artists from China and around the United States, including acrobats, magic, lion dance, folk and modern dances, music, martial arts and children’s choir.

Ticket Information: 720.270.7032 Mail Order: Denver Chinese School P.O. Box 631175 Highlands Ranch, CO 80163 Check payable to “CNYC” Online: Limited discounted tickets are available online at www.denverchineseschool.org

YEAR OF THE PIG