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July 16, 2012
July 13, 2012
Day Three - Senior Special
Simpson - Hoiping
We're still in Hoiping today visiting Simpson's village, his maternal grandmother's. He was able to see his family's house and met the head of the village. Simpson was able to take some time to take in his village and take pictures.
As it was Simpson's day we had to have the film crew in matching polka dot uniforms. Despite Matt's insistence that everyone "size down to look huge" no one did. The shirts were a great aesthetic choice, but the material they were made out of was either cursed or designed to be worn in arctic conditions. The three guys who didn't rip off the sleeves ended up suffering quite a bit.
Kaiping Diaolou
After Simpson's village we went to the UNESCO World Heritage watch towers that were used for defense and to display wealth later on. The watch towers were very cool to see and gave us more time to bond as a group.
The group is definitely getting along really well, the mix of personalities, experiences and age are making for a fun dynamic. We're all feeling like champs.
After lunch we headed over to the Li Garden which had exhibits on overseas Chinese and the impact on the villages they left as they sent back money, or returned home. There were interactive displays and a walking tour around the grounds. We also saw the coolest hat ever with a built-in, solar-powered fan. It even had what we can only assume are fully licensed Angry Bird designs.
We also saw Jonny's doppelganger, picture to follow. Ever since Eric was mistaken for a Hong Kong movie star on the airplane sitting in Economy next to the bathroom, we've been looking for doppelgangers. While it's been easy to find guys with Eric's hair, it's been hard to find ones that wear such tight tank tops and oil up their arms each morning.
After the Li Garden we headed over to Simpson's maternal grandfather's village. He was able to see his grandfathers room and meet some of the people still living in the village.
Today, July 9th, is Steve's birthday! There was no caking as our group's age and maturity level make such pranks seem beneath us. Instead we decided to get foot massages and with a lack of decent Mandarin speakers we had, shall we say, varying experiences.
So with Simpson's full day of Rooting and Steve's birthday we had a great senior special.
July 11, 2012
Day Two: Enping and Hoiping
Before heading out to Matt's villages we had breakfast at the hotel. The waitress laughed at Matt's inability to serve jook and pushed him out of the way.
Matt Owyang - Enping
After breakfast we headed out to Matt's villages. First we went to his maternal grandfather's village and saw the house. The house had beautiful paintings above the doors. Unfortunately we could not get in because the doors were rusted out. We met a local villager who knew the family and he showed us around.
We all loaded back onto the bus and headed across the river to Matt's primary village, his maternal grandmother. When we arrived we met with Matt's grandmother's cousin who showed us the five houses built for the Moks.
For lunch we had fish ten ways. We watched the cook grab a giant fish and how they prepped it. It was really great and they even had cold Coke for Ryan.
Yvonne Chan - Hoiping
After lunch we headed to Hoiping to visit Yvonne's village, her maternal grandfather. We met a lot of people who remembered her mom and were able to look around the family houses. Yvonne was walking around with a giant smile on her face.
We then went to her grandfathers shop and started to explore the area. While taking some pictures around the area Olivia ran into Wendy Lo, Roots '91. Yvonne and Wendy, 21 years apart on Roots, find out they're are neighbors in Hoiping. And they are both back in China together the same summer.
Al happened to call during our chance encounter to check in, SF time 1 AM. Frank took the phone and asked, "Hey Al, do you know a Wendy Lo from Roots?" "Yeah, of course, '91, why do you ask?" "Because she's standing right in front of me." "What!"
Al told us these things happen when you Root. Crazy.
Hoiping Nights
After a nice meal of chicken and donkey we headed out to the streets of Hoiping trying the street foods and fruits. We got to have fried stinky tofu, red dragon fruit and mangosteen which were all amazing.
We got to haggle with vendors over the price of shirts and according to Nicole, one of our guides, we still got ripped off.
Looking forward to day three.
July 8, 2012
Day One: Across the Pacific
Blogger's note: We'll be posting some pictures on the blog but check out this link for pictures from our pro, Simpson - http://www.flickr.com/photos/simpsonyiu/
Next stop: China - Thursday, July 5th, 2012
The Rooters, our leaders, mentors, friends and family all gathered at SFO for the send off to China. The yearly ritual includes comparing packing ability, last minute advice from mentors to mentees and pictures - lots of pictures. Once the ritual was complete we headed of to the gate to start our long journey to China.
The Flight: Short and Sweet
Our flight from SFO to Hong Kong was only 13 hours, which gave us plenty of time to sleep, watch movies and eat as much ramen as we wanted. We were all sitting in separate seats which led to some interesting experiences. Some had small children use their shoulder as a pillow and legs as a jungle gym. Others took the time to grab some sleep. One even found out there is nothing sweeter than Honey, and even got her number.
Landing and Crossing the Border
We landed in Hong Kong the morning of July 7th, local time. After meeting intern Jonny Lam the group was finally all together. After getting situated with phones and money we began the long trip to Enping.
The crossing from Hong Kong to China was nice and smooth. We switched from mini-vans to a bus to get to Guangzhou to meet up with the officials we'd be traveling with. The first leg of the bus ride gave us time to find out that Jonny laughs so loud it angers bus drivers and that Simpson is a camera encyclopedia.
The mini-bus and Lunch
After meeting with the officials and loading the mini-bus with our luggage we headed to our first meal. Everything was delicious, especially the rice - apparently Ryan has never had rice so good. There was chicken, pork belly, spicy beef, fish and more. After lunch we loaded up on the bus once again and began the drive to Enping.
The Stool, Rehearsal and Are You Smarter than a High Schooler?
With our luggage taking a significant portion of the mini-bus's interior a quick solution for a extra seat was created with a little red stool, some seat belts and clever placement of bags to lock it in place. Perfect. The trip was going to be about four hours during which time we had a chance to test our wits against Ryan: age sixteen, GPA 5.0. Needless to say, we lost. We also had a chance to practice our performance and choreography.
Dinner and Dancing
After settling into our hotel we headed out for dinner. Dinner was eel claypot rice, a soup with thorny, local greens eating which Matt managed to injure himself. We had a great meal and got to walk around the area and see hundreds of people dancing in a park. We went back to the hotel to finish out a day that started in San Francisco and ended in Enping.
Next stop: China - Thursday, July 5th, 2012
The Rooters, our leaders, mentors, friends and family all gathered at SFO for the send off to China. The yearly ritual includes comparing packing ability, last minute advice from mentors to mentees and pictures - lots of pictures. Once the ritual was complete we headed of to the gate to start our long journey to China.
The Flight: Short and Sweet
Our flight from SFO to Hong Kong was only 13 hours, which gave us plenty of time to sleep, watch movies and eat as much ramen as we wanted. We were all sitting in separate seats which led to some interesting experiences. Some had small children use their shoulder as a pillow and legs as a jungle gym. Others took the time to grab some sleep. One even found out there is nothing sweeter than Honey, and even got her number.
Landing and Crossing the Border
We landed in Hong Kong the morning of July 7th, local time. After meeting intern Jonny Lam the group was finally all together. After getting situated with phones and money we began the long trip to Enping.
The crossing from Hong Kong to China was nice and smooth. We switched from mini-vans to a bus to get to Guangzhou to meet up with the officials we'd be traveling with. The first leg of the bus ride gave us time to find out that Jonny laughs so loud it angers bus drivers and that Simpson is a camera encyclopedia.
The mini-bus and Lunch
After meeting with the officials and loading the mini-bus with our luggage we headed to our first meal. Everything was delicious, especially the rice - apparently Ryan has never had rice so good. There was chicken, pork belly, spicy beef, fish and more. After lunch we loaded up on the bus once again and began the drive to Enping.
The Stool, Rehearsal and Are You Smarter than a High Schooler?
With our luggage taking a significant portion of the mini-bus's interior a quick solution for a extra seat was created with a little red stool, some seat belts and clever placement of bags to lock it in place. Perfect. The trip was going to be about four hours during which time we had a chance to test our wits against Ryan: age sixteen, GPA 5.0. Needless to say, we lost. We also had a chance to practice our performance and choreography.
Dinner and Dancing
After settling into our hotel we headed out for dinner. Dinner was eel claypot rice, a soup with thorny, local greens eating which Matt managed to injure himself. We had a great meal and got to walk around the area and see hundreds of people dancing in a park. We went back to the hotel to finish out a day that started in San Francisco and ended in Enping.
June 20, 2012
Meet the 2012 Rooters!
The Leaders!
Albert Cheng 鄭國和
Searching for Chinese Roots Pioneer 尋根引路者
Searching for Chinese Roots Pioneer 尋根引路者
Albert Cheng co-founded the In Search of Roots program with Him Mark Lai in 1991. Albert has been instrumental in the rooting experience for hundreds of interns over two decades. He leads Roots: Him Mark Lai Family History Project in its Bay Area activities and guides the interns on their journey in China. Albert speaks several dialects of Chinese, including Mandarin, Cantonese, and Amoy.
Steven Owyang joined the In Search of Roots program in 2007. He began presenting the lecture series on Chinese and Chinese American history in 2008. He accompanied the interns to China from 2007 through 2011. Steve speaks Cantonese and Mandarin pretty well for a fourth generation ABC.
Hometown: B-mont
Occupation: L2 Support Engineer by day, t-shirt guy by night
What year did you go on Roots: 2001 & 2002
Ancestral Village: Taishan Oong Tieu now Diluo (N 22 01.340 E 112 52.363)
Favorite Food in China: It’s all super good but I am partial to pork-- it just tastes soo much better there! And of course fruit has flavor there so mangosteens!
Favorite Roots Memory: I would have to say going to some peoples villages and seeing how profoundly moved they were to be in the home of a loved one who is no longer with them and getting to experience the place where they were children and not adults.
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: The Heat. And getting to see how much things change and stay the same. And of course the food.
Choose a song that best describes you: What a feeling - Irene Cara
Something you are proud of: I have taken the face off of a pig, I have represented my college in a national sports tournament, and I have no concept of free time.
One piece of advice for the current interns: You will get more out of the program then you put in; do not hesitate to put in a lot. You are each other’s family in China. Be supportive; even the strongest who cry will value the shoulders of the meek who are there for them.
Rosa Wong-Chie 黃姍姍
Steven Owyang 歐陽如展
Group Leader, Advisor to Friends of Roots
Steven Owyang joined the In Search of Roots program in 2007. He began presenting the lecture series on Chinese and Chinese American history in 2008. He accompanied the interns to China from 2007 through 2011. Steve speaks Cantonese and Mandarin pretty well for a fourth generation ABC.
Brian Yee 趙庇如
Hometown: B-mont
Occupation: L2 Support Engineer by day, t-shirt guy by night
What year did you go on Roots: 2001 & 2002
Ancestral Village: Taishan Oong Tieu now Diluo (N 22 01.340 E 112 52.363)
Favorite Food in China: It’s all super good but I am partial to pork-- it just tastes soo much better there! And of course fruit has flavor there so mangosteens!
Favorite Roots Memory: I would have to say going to some peoples villages and seeing how profoundly moved they were to be in the home of a loved one who is no longer with them and getting to experience the place where they were children and not adults.
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: The Heat. And getting to see how much things change and stay the same. And of course the food.
Choose a song that best describes you: What a feeling - Irene Cara
Something you are proud of: I have taken the face off of a pig, I have represented my college in a national sports tournament, and I have no concept of free time.
One piece of advice for the current interns: You will get more out of the program then you put in; do not hesitate to put in a lot. You are each other’s family in China. Be supportive; even the strongest who cry will value the shoulders of the meek who are there for them.
Rosa Wong-Chie 黃姍姍
Rosa Wong-Chie was an In Search of Roots intern in the 2009-2010 group. She will be a leader for Roots: Him Mark Lai Family History Project in 2012. Rosa speaks Cantonese, Tai Shan and Mandarin.
Age: 28
Occupation: Information System Analyst
What year did you go on Roots: 2010 (but I was part of the 2009 cohort)
Ancestral Village: Taishan
Favorite Food in China: All Cantonese and Chao Zhou Food - yellow eel claypot rice in Taishan & fresh shrimp, fish, Abalone in Chao Zhou. All the interesting snacks, drinks, and ice cream!
Favorite Roots Memory: My fellow rooters singing and dancing to "Reunited" as the van that I was in was pulling into the Restaurant's parking lot. They made me a flower bouquet and gave me hugs. We were separated for a small time period and I was touched by their show of love and support when we met up with them again. :) The fireworks from the second night were awesome as well.
What are you most looking forward to this year: Seeing the current cohort experience what I have been through.
One piece of advice for the current interns: Enjoy every moment of it when you are there. Don't stress the little details! Try to explore all the villages, even your own, and talk to the villagers, even if you don't understand them. :)
Frank Lee 李德華
Frank Lee was an intern with the 2007 In Search of Roots program. Frank was a leader for the 2009-2010 and 2011 In Search of Roots groups, and will help lead the inaugural Roots: Him Mark Lai Family History Project this year. He also serves as the Vice President of Friends of Roots. Frank speaks Cantonese.
Hometown: Daly City!!!
Occupation: Project Engineer
Ancestral Village: Taishan Dajiang Shuilou Longjiang Li 台山 大江 水樓 龍江里
Favorite Food in China: Hands down, Yellow Eel Claypot Rice. Of course it is from Taishan Dajiang!
Favorite Roots Memory: Everything Roots 2007! The late-night eating after Freedom City. Those were some of the best bonding moments for the group.
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Besides the food? I look forward to being there to lead, guide, and mentor each intern as they search for their ancestral roots.
Choose a song that best describes you: Nuthin' But A G Thang - Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
Something you are proud of: My sister and I taking our parents back to their ancestral villages. It was their first time back, since leaving in the mid-seventies.
One piece of advice for the current interns: Do not rush and enjoy every moment, big and small. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience that very few people get to do. Before you know it, it will be over.
The Rooters!
Age: 28
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: KaiPing 开平長沙瑭乡書厦坊石巷
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Touching the soil my grandfather called home, smelling the sweet and savory aromas of local Kai Ping dishes, seeing the land through my grandmother's eyes, and listening to the locals speak the Kai Ping dialect
Can you use chopsticks: For sure, since I was four years old!
Choose a song that best describes you: Kelly Clarkson, Stronger
Something you are proud of: My Chinese heritage.
Eric Timothy Cheung 張業良
Age: 30...but no, I am not the oldest. Simpson is, at a wrinkly 32.
Current Hometown: Foster City, CA
Village you will be visiting: Nam Hoi 南海
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Blue shrimp sashimi. And partaking in the endless ragging on Alan Liu that will ensue without his presence.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes...for many things.
Choose a song that best describes you: Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey
Something you are proud of: I passed kindergarten in the face of my teacher telling my parents that she thought that I had a learning disability. Boo yah.
Derek Flores 余春榮
Age: 26
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: Toishan
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Having an adventure with experiences and memories that I can share with my present & future family.
Can you use chopsticks: yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
Something you are proud of: I am proud of my siblings
Sincere Justice 黄均達
Age: 25
Current Hometown: Oakland, CA
Village you will be visiting: Nam Hai
Something you are looking forward to on the trip:
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: T.I. - Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna)
Something you are proud of: I'm nice in the kitchen.
Jonathan Lam 林耀明
Age: 21
Current Hometown: San Jose, CA
Village you will be visiting: Toishan
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Meeting my relatives, exploring/shopping Asia, and drinking with my fellow rooters :)
Can you use chopsticks: yeeeah!!!
Choose a song that best describes you: Up! - LoveRance
Something you are proud of: I own the cutest damn dog in the world.
Michelle Yuen Mun Lee 李娩文
Age: 29
Current Hometown: San Jose, CA
Village you will be visiting: Nam Hoi 南海
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: I'm looking forward to learning more about my fellow interns, my family and myself. Also looking forward to meeting people in the villages.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces
Something you are proud of: I'm proud of myself for trying balut when I was in the Philippines. I'm also proud to be part of Roots this year.
Barbara Lin 林思茵
Age: 25
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: Toishan
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: See the village of my grandma and great-grandpa, hopefully see the roads/elementary school/bridges he built.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes, but sometimes I cheat if I feel lazy and use the "squeeze" method
Choose a song that best describes you: Beat - Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
Something you are proud of: Attempting to go back to the Motherland without knowing the language!
Olivia Lin 林美美
Simpson Yiu 姚紹中
Age: 32
Current Hometown: Santa Clara, CA
Village you will be visiting: Hoiping
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Being able to visually see where my family came from.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: The show goes on - Lupe Fiasco
Something you are proud of: I'm proud to be Chinese
What year did you go on Roots: 2010 (but I was part of the 2009 cohort)
Ancestral Village: Taishan
Favorite Food in China: All Cantonese and Chao Zhou Food - yellow eel claypot rice in Taishan & fresh shrimp, fish, Abalone in Chao Zhou. All the interesting snacks, drinks, and ice cream!
Favorite Roots Memory: My fellow rooters singing and dancing to "Reunited" as the van that I was in was pulling into the Restaurant's parking lot. They made me a flower bouquet and gave me hugs. We were separated for a small time period and I was touched by their show of love and support when we met up with them again. :) The fireworks from the second night were awesome as well.
What are you most looking forward to this year: Seeing the current cohort experience what I have been through.
One piece of advice for the current interns: Enjoy every moment of it when you are there. Don't stress the little details! Try to explore all the villages, even your own, and talk to the villagers, even if you don't understand them. :)
Frank Lee 李德華
Frank Lee was an intern with the 2007 In Search of Roots program. Frank was a leader for the 2009-2010 and 2011 In Search of Roots groups, and will help lead the inaugural Roots: Him Mark Lai Family History Project this year. He also serves as the Vice President of Friends of Roots. Frank speaks Cantonese.
Hometown: Daly City!!!
Occupation: Project Engineer
Ancestral Village: Taishan Dajiang Shuilou Longjiang Li 台山 大江 水樓 龍江里
Favorite Food in China: Hands down, Yellow Eel Claypot Rice. Of course it is from Taishan Dajiang!
Favorite Roots Memory: Everything Roots 2007! The late-night eating after Freedom City. Those were some of the best bonding moments for the group.
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Besides the food? I look forward to being there to lead, guide, and mentor each intern as they search for their ancestral roots.
Choose a song that best describes you: Nuthin' But A G Thang - Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg
Something you are proud of: My sister and I taking our parents back to their ancestral villages. It was their first time back, since leaving in the mid-seventies.
One piece of advice for the current interns: Do not rush and enjoy every moment, big and small. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience that very few people get to do. Before you know it, it will be over.
The Rooters!
Yvonne Chan 陳詩韻
Age: 28
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: KaiPing 开平長沙瑭乡書厦坊石巷
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Touching the soil my grandfather called home, smelling the sweet and savory aromas of local Kai Ping dishes, seeing the land through my grandmother's eyes, and listening to the locals speak the Kai Ping dialect
Can you use chopsticks: For sure, since I was four years old!
Choose a song that best describes you: Kelly Clarkson, Stronger
Something you are proud of: My Chinese heritage.
Eric Timothy Cheung 張業良
Age: 30...but no, I am not the oldest. Simpson is, at a wrinkly 32.
Current Hometown: Foster City, CA
Village you will be visiting: Nam Hoi 南海
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Blue shrimp sashimi. And partaking in the endless ragging on Alan Liu that will ensue without his presence.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes...for many things.
Choose a song that best describes you: Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey
Something you are proud of: I passed kindergarten in the face of my teacher telling my parents that she thought that I had a learning disability. Boo yah.
Derek Flores 余春榮
Age: 26
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: Toishan
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Having an adventure with experiences and memories that I can share with my present & future family.
Can you use chopsticks: yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
Something you are proud of: I am proud of my siblings
Sincere Justice 黄均達
Age: 25
Current Hometown: Oakland, CA
Village you will be visiting: Nam Hai
Something you are looking forward to on the trip:
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: T.I. - Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna)
Something you are proud of: I'm nice in the kitchen.
Jonathan Lam 林耀明
Age: 21
Current Hometown: San Jose, CA
Village you will be visiting: Toishan
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Meeting my relatives, exploring/shopping Asia, and drinking with my fellow rooters :)
Can you use chopsticks: yeeeah!!!
Choose a song that best describes you: Up! - LoveRance
Something you are proud of: I own the cutest damn dog in the world.
Ryan Lam 林慧亮
Age: 16
Current Hometown: Alameda, CA
Village you will be visiting: Nanhai
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Seeing the countryside/rural areas
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Embrace the Martian - Kid Cudi
Something you are proud of: The ability to drink coca cola endlessly.
Michelle Yuen Mun Lee 李娩文
Age: 29
Current Hometown: San Jose, CA
Village you will be visiting: Nam Hoi 南海
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: I'm looking forward to learning more about my fellow interns, my family and myself. Also looking forward to meeting people in the villages.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces
Something you are proud of: I'm proud of myself for trying balut when I was in the Philippines. I'm also proud to be part of Roots this year.
Barbara Lin 林思茵
Age: 25
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: Toishan
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: See the village of my grandma and great-grandpa, hopefully see the roads/elementary school/bridges he built.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes, but sometimes I cheat if I feel lazy and use the "squeeze" method
Choose a song that best describes you: Beat - Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
Something you are proud of: Attempting to go back to the Motherland without knowing the language!
Olivia Lin 林美美
Age: 27
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: Toishan
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Seeing where my parents grew up, eating, drinking, tanning, and exploring
Can you use chopsticks: I grew up with disposable forks, but I'll practice for China
Choose a song that best describes you: Fun- We Are Young and Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
Something you are proud of: Stupidly proud of attempting the cinnamon challenge
Marisa Louie 雷美玲
Age: 22
Current Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Village you will be visiting: Yonghe cun in Toisan 台山大江河木永和村
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Visiting my grandfather's village for the first time and EATING!
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: If You're Out There - John Legend
Something you are proud of: Graduating from UCSD in 2012
Matt Owyang 歐陽良盛
Age: 27
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: Enping 五福里
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Getting in touch
with my history.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Taylor Swift - Mean
Something you are proud of: Racing the US National Team and being
ahead of them for a minute and twenty seconds, it was awesome even
when they went right through us and beat us by 13 seconds.
Allister Phan 何智勁
Age: 22
Current Hometown: Daly City, CA
Village you will be visiting: Foshan 佛山
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Possibly meeting someone from the village who knew my grandpa back in the day.
Can you use chopsticks: yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Beastie Boys- Intergalactic
Something you are proud of: I'm proud of my screen printing business.
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: Toishan
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Seeing where my parents grew up, eating, drinking, tanning, and exploring
Can you use chopsticks: I grew up with disposable forks, but I'll practice for China
Choose a song that best describes you: Fun- We Are Young and Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
Something you are proud of: Stupidly proud of attempting the cinnamon challenge
Marisa Louie 雷美玲
Age: 22
Current Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Village you will be visiting: Yonghe cun in Toisan 台山大江河木永和村
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Visiting my grandfather's village for the first time and EATING!
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: If You're Out There - John Legend
Something you are proud of: Graduating from UCSD in 2012
Matt Owyang 歐陽良盛
Age: 27
Current Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Village you will be visiting: Enping 五福里
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Getting in touch
with my history.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Taylor Swift - Mean
Something you are proud of: Racing the US National Team and being
ahead of them for a minute and twenty seconds, it was awesome even
when they went right through us and beat us by 13 seconds.
Allister Phan 何智勁
Age: 22
Current Hometown: Daly City, CA
Village you will be visiting: Foshan 佛山
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Possibly meeting someone from the village who knew my grandpa back in the day.
Can you use chopsticks: yes
Choose a song that best describes you: Beastie Boys- Intergalactic
Something you are proud of: I'm proud of my screen printing business.
Simpson Yiu 姚紹中
Age: 32
Current Hometown: Santa Clara, CA
Village you will be visiting: Hoiping
Something you are looking forward to on the trip: Being able to visually see where my family came from.
Can you use chopsticks: Yes
Choose a song that best describes you: The show goes on - Lupe Fiasco
Something you are proud of: I'm proud to be Chinese
May 31, 2012
Welcome and join us as this blog chronicles the journey of the 2012 Roots: Him Mark Lai Family History Project, presented by the Friends of Roots!
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