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Here is a picture of some home-made zongzi.

Roughly two weeks ago, on June 20, many Asian Americans celebrated a holiday known as Duanwu Festival. The Duanwu Festival, also commonly known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is observed on the fifth day of the fifth month in the traditional lunar calendar. As Asian American millennials, we might not be familiar with the holiday but we are quite accustomed with its traditions–it’s the day we help our grandparents wrap zongzi! For those who are not familiar with it, zongzi can be thought of as the Asian equivalent of a Mexican tamale. It’s a sticky sweet rice, typically wrapped in flat leaves (my grandparents prefer banana leaves because of its easier to find), stuffed with meats, beans, and proteins. There is no right way to make zongzi as different Asian cultures have their unique combination of ingredients, and individual households have tailored their zongzi to their families’ preferences.

Although I’ve been wrapping and eating zongzi with my grandparents for as long as I can remember, this Duanwu Festival, I decided to ask about the holiday. Here is the story that my grandfather shared with me. According to him, the Duanwu Festival started as a way to commemorate the Chinese poet Qu Yuan who was driven to commit suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River during the Zhou Dynasty. As a big advocate of the people, many of the villagers threw sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river for fear that creatures in the water would feed on Yuan’s carcass. The sticky rice evolved into the zongzi that we eat today during the Duanwu Festival.

Another big aspect of the Duanwu Festival is the dragon boat races, what the holiday is officially names after. The origin of the dragon boat racing during the Duanwu Festival derived from the villager’s desire to race to save Yuan from drowning. It has since evolved into a competitive sporting event.

Aside from commemorating the beloved poet, enjoying zongzi, and rounding up the family together, the Duanwu Festival has also come to signal the passing of winter. According to my mom, the passing of the Duanwu Festival indicates the arrival of summer. It’s after the Duanwu Festival that we put away our quilts for the year.

I hope this Duanwu Festival was as much as a learning experience as it was for me! From my family to yours, Happy Belated Duanwu Festival!

Here is a picture of some home-made zongzi.

Roughly two weeks ago, on June 20, many Asian Americans celebrated a holiday known as Duanwu Festival. The Duanwu Festival, also commonly known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is observed on the fifth day of the fifth month in the traditional lunar calendar. As Asian American millennials, we might not be familiar with the holiday but we are quite accustomed with its traditions–it’s the day we help our grandparents wrap zongzi! For those who are not familiar with it, zongzi can be thought of as the Asian equivalent of a Mexican tamale. It’s a sticky sweet rice, typically wrapped in flat leaves (my grandparents prefer banana leaves because of its easier to find), stuffed with meats, beans, and proteins. There is no right way to make zongzi as different Asian cultures have their unique combination of ingredients, and individual households have tailored their zongzi to their families’ preferences.

Although I’ve been wrapping and eating zongzi with my grandparents for as long as I can remember, this Duanwu Festival, I decided to ask about the holiday. Here is the story that my grandfather shared with me. According to him, the Duanwu Festival started as a way to commemorate the Chinese poet Qu Yuan who was driven to commit suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River during the Zhou Dynasty. As a big advocate of the people, many of the villagers threw sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river for fear that creatures in the water would feed on Yuan’s carcass. The sticky rice evolved into the zongzi that we eat today during the Duanwu Festival.

Another big aspect of the Duanwu Festival is the dragon boat races, what the holiday is officially names after. The origin of the dragon boat racing during the Duanwu Festival derived from the villager’s desire to race to save Yuan from drowning. It has since evolved into a competitive sporting event.

Aside from commemorating the beloved poet, enjoying zongzi, and rounding up the family together, the Duanwu Festival has also come to signal the passing of winter. According to my mom, the passing of the Duanwu Festival indicates the arrival of summer. It’s after the Duanwu Festival that we put away our quilts for the year.

I hope this Duanwu Festival was as much as a learning experience as it was for me! From my family to yours, Happy Belated Duanwu Festival!

Here is a picture of some home-made zongzi.

Roughly two weeks ago, on June 20, many Asian Americans celebrated a holiday known as Duanwu Festival. The Duanwu Festival, also commonly known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is observed on the fifth day of the fifth month in the traditional lunar calendar. As Asian American millennials, we might not be familiar with the holiday but we are quite accustomed with its traditions–it’s the day we help our grandparents wrap zongzi! For those who are not familiar with it, zongzi can be thought of as the Asian equivalent of a Mexican tamale. It’s a sticky sweet rice, typically wrapped in flat leaves (my grandparents prefer banana leaves because of its easier to find), stuffed with meats, beans, and proteins. There is no right way to make zongzi as different Asian cultures have their unique combination of ingredients, and individual households have tailored their zongzi to their families’ preferences.

Although I’ve been wrapping and eating zongzi with my grandparents for as long as I can remember, this Duanwu Festival, I decided to ask about the holiday. Here is the story that my grandfather shared with me. According to him, the Duanwu Festival started as a way to commemorate the Chinese poet Qu Yuan who was driven to commit suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River during the Zhou Dynasty. As a big advocate of the people, many of the villagers threw sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves into the river for fear that creatures in the water would feed on Yuan’s carcass. The sticky rice evolved into the zongzi that we eat today during the Duanwu Festival.

Another big aspect of the Duanwu Festival is the dragon boat races, what the holiday is officially names after. The origin of the dragon boat racing during the Duanwu Festival derived from the villager’s desire to race to save Yuan from drowning. It has since evolved into a competitive sporting event.

Aside from commemorating the beloved poet, enjoying zongzi, and rounding up the family together, the Duanwu Festival has also come to signal the passing of winter. According to my mom, the passing of the Duanwu Festival indicates the arrival of summer. It’s after the Duanwu Festival that we put away our quilts for the year.

I hope this Duanwu Festival was as much as a learning experience as it was for me! From my family to yours, Happy Belated Duanwu Festival!

1. D Yandle to NYR

The Skinny: The deadlines blockbuster deal saw the offensively-gifted defenseman, Keith Yandle, traded to the Eastern Conference Champion NY Rangers for a promising prospect in Anthony Duclair, alongside valuable picks, a first and second rounder. Yandle solidifies New York’s defense as the best in the East.

Takeaway: If defense wins championships, and if Rick Nash can prove he’s worth a damn in postseason action, the New York Rangers look good to hoist Lord Stanley.

2. Chicago Replaces Injured Kane with C Antoine Vermette and D Kimmo Timonen

The Skinny: You can’t replace Patrick Kane. The Hawks have won in two cups in the past five seasons, so they’d be foolish not to try, right? The veteran center man; who plays a two-game, wins face-offs, and has some solid playoff credentials–could fit in well with a team that will undoubtedly lift his offensive production.

Takeaway: Big shoes to fill for Vermette, essentially replacing a two time Stanley cup winning center who ended the franchises 50 year Stanley Cup drought with his overtime heroics in two cup runs.

3. D Wisniewski traded to Ducks

The Skinny: The Blue Jackets moved the offensively-gifted defensemen along with his big contract to the Ducks. Often injured and frequently suspect to defensive shortcomings, the power play specialist is heading to Anaheim for the second time in his professional career.

Takeaway: Anaheim, the hottest NHL team, is poised to take a run at Lord Stanley’s Cup. If the “Wiz Kid” can produce to his abilities the Ducks appear deadly.

4. C Jeffrey, C Kennedy and G Neuvirth Round out the Islanders

The Skinny: Depth at the center position combined with outstanding goaltending are postseason-success prerequisites.  The Islanders added both as spotty, yet potentially long term injuries to Grabovski and stud goal scoring winger Kyle Okposo needed filling.

Takeaway: NY Islander starting goaltender Jaro Halak will break the Islanders record of most wins in a season, previously held by legend Billy Smith during the Islander glory days in the 80’s. He will need some rest as the Islander plan on winning a few playoff rounds…welcome aboard to a more-than-capable backup in Michael Neuvirth.

5. Detroit adds old vets LW Cole and D Marek Zidlicky

The Skinny: In his 15^th NHL season, spanning four teams, the quick and crafty skater with hands has consistently put up points. Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “I’ve been watching Erik play now for the last probably 12, 13 years and this might have been one of his best years he’s had. He’s been a big part of our team.

Takeaway: The Detroit cup-window is near closing with the “core four,” aging stars manning the fort. In return the wings uncharacteristically surrendered two Swedish draft prospects. It seems a new “core four” of late-round draft picks is the future of Detroit.

6. LW Glencross dealt east to Washington

The Skinny: The gritty winger has been averaging nearly 35 points a season in his seven year tenure with the Flames.  The 31-year-olds ice time has waned to under 15 minutes per game over the most recent ten. Due for a change of scenery the Washington Capitals valued him highly exchanging two picks, a 2015 second and third rounder.

Takeaway: The addition will be worth a watch on a veteran, character-rooted Eastern contender.

7. RW Stewart Finally Traded

The Skinny: Amid trade speculation, the power-forward was one of the last deals made prior to the deadline. His physical presence and offensive production are playoff-quality traits the rebuilding Sabers needed to trim for draft picks.

Takeaway: Minnesota’s additions of Stewart and Jordan Leopold, a depth defenseman, will hopefully stamp the Wild as a playoff team, as scary California clubs are right on their tail to squeeze into the playoffs.

8. RW Connolly and C Talbot to Beantown

The Skinny: Injuries and miscalculated trades have crippled a Bruins team that has been to the cup finals twice in the most recent five years, winning it all in 2011. The Bruins are hoping they can find a hidden gem in Connolly, the sixth overall pick in 2010, eager for a fresh start.

Takeaway: It’s not the smash hit trade Boston fans expected by any stretch. Bottom six center men Talbot, a proven winner, may not have the ability to energize an old locker room 60 plus games into the season.

9. Florida adds Hall of Famer RW Jaromir Jagr

The Skinny: Young NHL players love Jagr, he won two Stanley Cups before many of them were born. Incredible work ethic, on-ice execution, leadership and elite level hockey IQ are just some of the things Jagr brings to a young and promising Florida team.

Takeaway: The Panthers have plenty of picks and are two points shy of obtaining a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. If Florida can squeak in, the sole experience of playoff-hockey will do wonders for their young talent under Jagr’s tutelage.

10. LA adds D Andrej Sekera

The Skinny: The Kings and Hawks are hungry to achieve dynasty status under their current rosters, seeking a third cup in span of under six years. Sekera brings experience, mobility and strength to a defensive corps steered by defensive prodigy Drew Doughty.

Takeaway: The Kings are three points outside a playoff spot with 20 games remaining. If the defending champs can get in, all bets are off; they’re contenders, even favorites.

The second best place to ride a bike outside of Brooklyn, is Central Park.
As the weather gets colder and riding a bike isn’t as easy of a decision to make, because now you have to prepare for it and have warm cloths for the colder weather. Central Park is great alternative to that, not that it’s warmer there, but because riding in the park during the winter is very scenic. The bike paths are surrounded by nature and let your mind escape the busyness of the city and enjoy a nice view. Aside from the great view, its probably the easiest way to  get from 59th Street to upper east side on a bike in 10 minutes with no traffic. It’s a great exercise and you get to actually race or try to keep up with guys who have professional bikes and are training. The path are dedicated paths for bikes, and they continue through the entire park, so you ride around the park worry free of motor vehicles.

Above is a the main bicycle path in Central Park.

Video below are some of lovely cyclist I was able to capture as they sped past me.

The second best place to ride a bike outside of Brooklyn, is Central Park.
As the weather gets colder and riding a bike isn’t as easy of a decision to make, because now you have to prepare for it and have warm cloths for the colder weather. Central Park is great alternative to that, not that it’s warmer there, but because riding in the park during the winter is very scenic. The bike paths are surrounded by nature and let your mind escape the busyness of the city and enjoy a nice view. Aside from the great view, its probably the easiest way to  get from 59th Street to upper east side on a bike in 10 minutes with no traffic. It’s a great exercise and you get to actually race or try to keep up with guys who have professional bikes and are training. The path are dedicated paths for bikes, and they continue through the entire park, so you ride around the park worry free of motor vehicles.

Above is a the main bicycle path in Central Park.

Video below are some of lovely cyclist I was able to capture as they sped past me.

The second best place to ride a bike outside of Brooklyn, is Central Park.
As the weather gets colder and riding a bike isn’t as easy of a decision to make, because now you have to prepare for it and have warm cloths for the colder weather. Central Park is great alternative to that, not that it’s warmer there, but because riding in the park during the winter is very scenic. The bike paths are surrounded by nature and let your mind escape the busyness of the city and enjoy a nice view. Aside from the great view, its probably the easiest way to  get from 59th Street to upper east side on a bike in 10 minutes with no traffic. It’s a great exercise and you get to actually race or try to keep up with guys who have professional bikes and are training. The path are dedicated paths for bikes, and they continue through the entire park, so you ride around the park worry free of motor vehicles.

Above is a the main bicycle path in Central Park.

credit: NYC.gov

This is probably something I should have discussed in my first blog post, but having been new to owning a bike as an adult I didn’t know that their were actual rules towards cycling in the city. Those who cycle in NYC no matter what conditions such as the delivery guys, mail guys and those who have committed to making cycling their only form of transportation are probably aware of these kind of regulations. But the NYC.gov website has the rules and regulations for cycling in NY, such as wearing a helmet, having front and back lights on your bike when riding at night. Pretty much all of the things you would expect something that says rules and regulations. But because of certain of the growing number of recent bike and car accidents or bikes and pedestrians accident, the rules are being more enforced. Just not long ago a young lady was struck by a bus driver when she had the right of way and was riding her bike in the bike lane, the bike driver argument was that he did not see her. She was a young Swedish model who had moved to the New York to continue her modeling career. Here’s the link to the story.

Swedish model gets into bike accident caused by a bus driver.

The NYC.Gov website has little booklets to bikers can use to get a better idea of the rules and regulations of cycling. You can get the actual booklet if you like at some of your local bike shops or just download the PDF from the website @ NYC.gov.

NYC.gov

Central Park also had to make some panel changes and speed limit changes because of an accident caused by a cyclist hitting a woman while riding in the park. NEW YORK TIMES

Michael Nagle for The New York Times

credit: NYC.gov

This is probably something I should have discussed in my first blog post, but having been new to owning a bike as an adult I didn’t know that their were actual rules towards cycling in the city. Those who cycle in NYC no matter what conditions such as the delivery guys, mail guys and those who have committed to making cycling their only form of transportation are probably aware of these kind of regulations. But the NYC.gov website has the rules and regulations for cycling in NY, such as wearing a helmet, having front and back lights on your bike when riding at night. Pretty much all of the things you would expect something that says rules and regulations. But because of certain of the growing number of recent bike and car accidents or bikes and pedestrians accident, the rules are being more enforced. Just not long ago a young lady was struck by a bus driver when she had the right of way and was riding her bike in the bike lane, the bike driver argument was that he did not see her. She was a young Swedish model who had moved to the New York to continue her modeling career. Here’s the link to the story.

Swedish model gets into bike accident caused by a bus driver.

The NYC.Gov website has little booklets to bikers can use to get a better idea of the rules and regulations of cycling. You can get the actual booklet if you like at some of your local bike shops or just download the PDF from the website @ NYC.gov.

NYC.gov

Central Park also had to make some panel changes and speed limit changes because of an accident caused by a cyclist hitting a woman while riding in the park. NEW YORK TIMES

Michael Nagle for The New York Times

credit: NYC.gov

This is probably something I should have discussed in my first blog post, but having been new to owning a bike as an adult I didn’t know that their were actual rules towards cycling in the city. Those who cycle in NYC no matter what conditions such as the delivery guys, mail guys and those who have committed to making cycling their only form of transportation are probably aware of these kind of regulations. But the NYC.gov website has the rules and regulations for cycling in NY, such as wearing a helmet, having front and back lights on your bike when riding at night. Pretty much all of the things you would expect something that says rules and regulations. But because of certain of the growing number of recent bike and car accidents or bikes and pedestrians accident, the rules are being more enforced. Just not long ago a young lady was struck by a bus driver when she had the right of way and was riding her bike in the bike lane, the bike driver argument was that he did not see her. she was a young Swedish Model who had moved to the New York to continue her modeling career. here’s the link to the story.

Swedish model gets into bike accident caused by a bus driver.

The NYC.Gov website has little booklets to bikers can use to get a better idea of the rules and regulations of cycling. You can get the actual booklet if you like at some of your local bike shops or just download the PDF from the website @ NYC.gov.

NYC.gov

Central Park also had to make some panel changes and speed limit changes because of an accident caused by a cyclist hitting a woman while riding in the park. NEW YORK TIMES

Michael Nagle for The New York Times