While scrolling through Netflix suggestions one winter evening, I noticed an odd title: "Crash Landing on You." The premise: a South Korean businesswoman, blown by fierce winds while paragliding, crashes just across the border, where a North Korean captain decides to help rather than report her.
Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin in 'Crash Landing On You.'A rom-com set in the DMZ? I stumbled onto the show that is, for many, the gateway to Korean drama, or K-drama. I gobbled the 16-episode story like popcorn, pulled along by a thrilling plot with a graceful mix of drama and comedy. One year later, I had 22 K-dramas under my belt. Many of them, like "Crash Landing," (or "CLOY," in the lingo of drama fans), left me emotionally intoxicated.
These were stories with so much heart and great story arcs, about wisdom and growth, family connections, respect for elders, with minimal sex and violence. The characters might face pain, poverty, estrangement, injustice or a zombie pandemic. There might even be a heartbreaking ending. But in the end, you felt uplifted, wiser, hopeful.
What Makes a K-Drama? 
The term K-drama refers to a Korean television series, and they've been booming in popularity on Netflix in particular. They usually consist of 16 episodes, each lasting roughly an hour, and only one season. Most fans appreciate seeing one entire story arc in a season, with resolution at the end. A K-drama also features original soundtrack music (called OSTs) by top Korean composers and performers.
These were stories with so much heart and great story arcs
The South Korean entertainment industry, with the aid of government investment, has poured substantial resources into K-pop and K-dramas. The acting and the production values have leapt in recent years, with thoughtful, movie-worthy cinematography. "They've come up with a winning formula: the right number of hours, beautiful OSTs and a feel-good message," says Dafna Zur, associate professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures and scholar of Korean literature at Stanford University.
Before "CLOY," all I'd known of South Korean entertainment was the term "K-pop" and the name of its most influential band, BTS. I'd gathered it was teenybopper stuff. The global explosion of Korean pop culture is often thought of as a youth phenomenon. But, by inquiring, I learned that a sizable number of fans, like me, are older than 50.
As for me, I had grown weary of American TV series that were artistically good but left me feeling empty. Korean dramas were a balm for tough times. I found I wasn't alone.
Dr. Dafna ZurPlenty of Us "Ahjummas" and "Ahjussis" (Middle-aged Women and Men 
… as well as "halmeonis" and "harabeojis" (men and women of grandparent age.) I put up a post on the large and active Reddit K-drama group, asking for thoughts from fans who were over 50. I expected a mere handful of responses and was shocked to receive roughly 150 well-thought-out, enthusiastic comments.
Steven Ho, 52, of New York, has been watching K-dramas as a "chaser" for "heavier, cynical western dramas." They fill a void left by American streaming services. Ho also appreciates the "comfort shows that aren't too maudlin."
One young woman said that her parents, in their late 70s, have watched K-dramas since their retirement and evangelized their friends to watch. It was, she thought, a way to rebel against the trends of entertainment at the time, such as shows — "Breaking Bad," "Dexter" and "Mad Men" —fronted by anti-heroes, or never-ending serialized procedurals.
Inspiring and Universal Themes 
K-dramas appear in every genre: romance, comedy, rom-com, thriller, slice of life, drama, historic, legal, medical, sci-fi and horror. They're not preachy, but wholesome virtues predominate: the values of sacrifice for others, the healing power of love, honesty, integrity and community.
"Audiences are delighted to see how underdogs overcome challenges and come out as winners at the end." 
"I believe there is a powerful nostalgic imagination of innocence in Korean drama," said Saena Dozier, Ph.D., Korean Department head consultant at LanguageBird, a language program for secondary students. "Innocence that is less associated with nationhood and national identity but more associated with a universalistic and utopian way of existing within a collective community." 
"Another reason for Korean drama's global popularity," Dozier said, "is its narrative focus on society's underdogs. Audiences are delighted to see how underdogs overcome challenges and come out as winners at the end."
Respect for Elders, and a Woman's Outlook 
Korea, like other East Asian countries, is built around Confucian values, one of those being filial piety. As a western viewer, I was struck by the integrated role of elders in K-dramas and the respect with which they are treated. Grandparent figures are often the anchors for a troubled main character or for the community in general.
In "Navillera," a 70-year-old man pursues his lifelong dream of performing ballet, and not just as a hobby. He is as serious as his 24-year-old teacher, who aspires to the world stage. He provides much-needed moral support to his troubled teacher, and together, they help fulfill each other's dream.
In "Navillera," a 70-year-old man pursues his lifelong dream of performing ballet, and not just as a hobby.
The majority of K-drama writers are women, and this is reflected in the storytelling and the development of characters. Many viewers say they appreciate the healthier view of masculinity depicted in K-dramas. Men show tenderness and the full gamut of emotions. And it's not uncommon for the female lead to be older than the male lead.
Romances tend to be very slow burn, where the touch of a hand in episode 12 packs more voltage than a bedroom scene in episode 2 of a western drama. In thrillers, men and women, both, often literally take a bullet for each other.
Korea: The Particular to the Universal 
Many viewers develop a broader interest in Korean language and culture. Sometimes fandom is shared between generations. Lisa Craig of Mt. Juliet, Tennesee, is one of two Redditors I spoke with whose interest in Korea began with sharing their daughters' enthusiasm for super-K-pop band BTS. Craig and her daughter Chelsea are traveling together this spring to visit filming sites, eat Korean food and absorb the history and culture.
So how did a country the size of Indiana develop such an outsize global footprint in business, technology and entertainment? Dafna Zur explains that South Korea, like Japan and Israel, is a resource-poor country that relies on the ingenuity of its people to be prosperous. "They have no natural gas or oil, so the nation counts on people's creativity as well as their work ethos, on which they pride themselves."
K-drama snacksEducation is highly valued. Speaking of her students who are fans of Korean entertainment and culture, Zur said, "Our students today know what took me years to figure out: Korea holds the key to economic, political and cultural puzzles today."
It's Just Good Stuff
Above all, K-dramas are good stories, well told. Randy Burleigh, of Opelousas, Louisiana, had a long list of what he enjoys about K-dramas, among them: main characters who strive to do the moral thing, "no quick fix to everyday problems, you'll be in for the long haul to get any resolution (and what a payoff it is!), and most importantly, wholly entertaining. I know without a doubt that I will be thoroughly entertained throughout the life of the show: I will be invested in the characters, I will laugh, cry and smile with them, and be cheering by the end!"
When people face adversity in K-drama stories, the solution generally lies in the healing power of love and community. That message is a great gift from the South Korean entertainment industry to a hurting world.
Recommendations
"Crash Landing on You""My Mister""Navillera""Mr. Queen""Hometown Cha Cha Cha""Dear My Friends""Hospital Playlist"
MyDramaListThe Reddit groups r/kdrama and r/kdramarecommends


Crash Landing on Me: A Surprise Passion for Korean Drama

Barbara J. Tuttle

Three years ago, I was living the prototypical American Dream — a home in a gated community, new cars in the driveway and a country club membership. I was making good money as an air traffic controller, but spending it on stuff I didn’t need. Stuck in a consumerist rut, I’d become what Henry David Thoreau called, “the tools of my tools.”
My 50 birthday and an opportunity to take early retirement were rapidly approaching, so I decided to ask myself some questions:
If I was happiest traveling, writing, taking photographs, making friends and having adventures, why was I spending my life sequestered at work and in the comfortable but boring bubble I’d created for myself?Why did I keep accumulating possessions that drained my finances, tied me down and consumed what little spare time I had?Could I reprioritize my life in way that would let me take early retirement and do the things that made me happiest?
His Plan: The Vagabond Life
After some soul searching, I decided to sell almost all of my stuff (house included) and travel the world — one country at a time, one year at a time — working occasionally as a photographer, writer and teacher and doing volunteer work. I'd be a vagabond and I’d do it for 10 years.
(MORE: How to Retire All Over the World)
Spending a year in one place, I figured, would allow me to start learning the culture, see the seasons and make some real relationships. I could take advantage of long-term rentals, learn how to live like the locals and have some time for relaxation to boot.
Paring my possessions down to a minimum would provide flexibility of movement and help me find out what I really needed to enjoy life. I wanted to — indeed I longed to —push my boundaries and quit playing it safe.

What His Friends Thought
Most of my friends thought I was crazy to give up everything and travel the world. Some seemed to think I’d be betraying the consumerist ethic that says the goal of life is to accumulate more and more “stuff” until you die. Others thought I was going through a midlife crisis and would be back in a few months longing for the return of what I’d shed. A few believed I had the germ of a good idea and was on the right track, but that my plan was unworkable.
(MORE: Best Places to Retire Abroad in 2015)
It’s now been three years since I actually began doing it. While I haven’t strictly adhered to my original “base one place for one year” idea, I have lived in, and certainly traveled in, some amazing places.

How His Plan Has Worked Out
I started with five months on the beach in Xcalak, a tiny village on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, and then spent seven months high in the mountains of southern Mexico in the town of San Cristobal de las Casas.
Next, I followed a few months back in the United States with nine months in the shadow of Angkor Wat in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap. For the past 18 months or so, I’ve been based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In the interim, I spent a month in Bali, a month in Myanmar (Burma) and a month in Laos. I’ve also traveled to Bhutan, Canada, Chile, China, Guatemala, Malaysia, Peru and Vietnam.
(MORE: Best and Worst Reasons to Retire Early)
Right now, I’m in the process of discarding what little dross I’ve accumulated in Thailand for a move further afield in Southeast Asia.
Not Rich, But Living Richly
After three years, I am not rich, but I am living more richly than ever before.
I can hardly believe the places I have seen and the adventures I’ve had since retirement.  I know that from the outside it must all seem expensive and extravagant, but it really isn’t. All it has required is a recalibration of the things that I value and see as important.
My base living expenses are less than 20 percent of what they were back in the states when I was looking for meaning in the things I bought and consumed.
Now, instead of finding ways to kill time, I spend my days running toward life and living life consciously and deliberately.
Over the last few years I have seen a lot of places and learned a lot about myself, but the biggest thing I have discovered is that retirement can be a time of reinvention and living your dreams.
Retirement should be simply a new phase of life or truly, Life Part 2.
 
Jonathan Look, a photographer and writer, lives by the philosophy: “Why sip life from a straw when you can drink it from a fire hose?” You can sign up for his newsletter here, visit his website at LifePart2.com or visit him on Facebook.


Chucking It All at 50 to Retire Around the World

Jonathan Look


(This article appeared previously on HuffPost50.com.)
Earlier this year, the White House announced that Malia Obama would attend Harvard University ― but not before taking a gap year. She, like countless other teenagers, decided to take some time off between graduating high school and enrolling in college.
But why should only young people take advantage of this opportunity? What about those folks middle-aged and older? Fortunately, while there are plenty of programs for students like Malia, there also are several gap year programs that are geared for the restless, the retired or the about-to-be retired.

“There are many volunteer trips abroad that tap into [older] people’s civic-mindedness, and then combine it with travel, something that may have been harder to have time for in past years but is now absolutely a possibility,” Elizabeth Cauchois, program adviser for Projects Abroad, a large international volunteer organization, told The Huffington Post.
“For those over 50, who are simply taking a career break, it can be a way to use their skills in a professional setting abroad and bring what they have learned back to their organization or company.”
Got your attention? For those ready to ride the gap-year train, here are seven awesome ideas on how to climb aboard.
1. Join The Peace Corps
Did you know that The Peace Corps doesn’t have an age limit? Depending on the volunteer program you choose, your service can last from three months to two years. You can even choose what country you want to serve in, the type of work you do and when you depart. For more information, The Peace Corps recommends talking with a recruiter. Go here to find out more.
2. Try Voluntourism
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer your time and skills depending on what your interests are. You can do marine research with the Wild Dolphin Foundation in Hawaii or work with orphans in India. You can even volunteer to work on an Israeli military base through the Volunteers for Israel program.
When it comes to Projects Abroad, “we have one-to-two-week trips specifically for volunteers over 50. These are group trips, so volunteers can meet like-minded people around the same age, and are designed to accommodate the needs and interests of these volunteers,” Cauchois told HuffPost. “Volunteers can work with children, assist with renovation work or contribute to sustainable development. These take place during the fall and spring, with a few different options in terms of dates.”
3. Connect With Locals in Foreign Countries
Try out an organization that’s designed to help travelers connect with locals. Rita Golden Gelman, 79, has been traveling the world for 29 years. “I have no home and almost no possessions. I have been welcome almost everywhere I’ve been […] in Sandinista Nicaragua in 1987," she told HuffPost. Gelman also said she's be in Kenya, Tanzania, Thailand, Indonesia, India, tribal New Guinea, Suriname, Guatemala, Mexico and many other countries.
According to Gelman, author of “Tales of a Female Nomad, Living as Large in the World,” Servas is one worldwide cooperative cultural exchange network of travelers and hosts that can hook you up with families all over the world. “This is my favorite organization. There are 15,000 families who belong to the organization because they want to meet you!” Gelman said. “Everyone in Servas has been face-to-face interviewed. It is totally safe and there is no charge for a two-night visit. They feed you dinner and show you their world.”
4. Join a Road Scholar Program
While there is nothing keeping you from enrolling in courses at your local university or college ― and many places will allow older adults to audit classes for free ― the Road Scholar program (formerly known as Elder Hostel) puts an educational spin on group travel. Tours to a wide range of countries ― including Cuba ― are led by experts in the field. There are also suggested reading lists and most days include lectures and discussion groups. Subjects include just about anything and are based around interests and, of course, travel.
5. Try Winging It
“Often I just go somewhere that I see on a map […] or somewhere some stranger suggests. I talk to anyone in the community who speaks English (waitresses, community leaders, guides) and I ask if they know of a family that would like a guest for a while,” Gelman told HuffPost. “I tell them that I will pay and that I want to help with the household chores and learn how they do things. I want to learn how and what they cook. I want to learn their chores, their songs, their dances, their daily routines.”
“I want to learn about their religion, their customs. I want to play their games and sing their songs” she said. “I stay a long time […] months, even years. Long enough for them to think of me as part of the family.”
6. Enjoy Some Time in Europe ― On the Cheap
Daydreaming about that summer you spent backpacking through Europe, but maybe without the backpack? You can do it now! For those on a fixed income, leasing out your house may be one way to afford a new adventure. Eliminating your housing expenses may free up enough cash to move freely around the globe. Or if what you really want is a nice base in say, Paris, you might even get lucky and do a house swap. Try a service like HomeExchange.com that claims to offer more than 65,000 homes in 150 countries.
7. Try Teaching
Whether you want to head off to Asia, Africa, Latin America or elsewhere, teaching English offers a wide range of great international opportunities for people of all ages, including those over 50. You may enjoy low-cost housing as well as the chance to soak in other cultures. For more information, go here.
No matter what type of gap year program you choose, Ethan Knight, executive director of the American Gap Association, suggests you enlist the right experts.
“If you don’t know about security issues, visas or vaccinations ― seek out an expert in those specific areas,” he told HuffPost.
And then, just have fun.
“The world is more inviting than the media would portray. Friends are around every corner, and a bit of courage to seek out new friends is an important component to any successful gap year,” Knight said. “Challenge your comfort zones. Indeed, it’s the best way to grow!”
 


7 Great Gap Year Ideas For Grown-ups

Shelley Emling, The Huffington Post

­It is 7 a.m. and I am in a sweat. My hands are shaking and I can barely hold my drinking glass as I gulp down my third cup of water. My knee hurts, my legs are aching and I can feel the stubborn blister between the toes on my left foot coming back again.
Why do I voluntarily do this to myself? I am almost 55 and my body hasn’t been without some sort of pain or soreness for over six months. Retirement was supposed to be a time to lay back and relax, but I can’t let up. Time is counting down. London is calling. Specifically, the London Marathon.
Seeking Adventure
I am an American, my partner, Sarah, is English, and we are in the midst of our second year of living in the small, landlocked, southeast Asian country of Laos. We moved here because, in addition to loving the scenery, the culture and the people, we like to try unusual things and we appreciate a challenge.
We are both avid travelers who like to stay active and push the boundaries of our comfort zones. I think it is a great, if somewhat unusual, way to live life. But I have to admit I was a little taken aback when Sarah told me, during the middle of the hottest season of the year in Laos, that she wanted to start training for the 2016 London Marathon, scheduled for Sunday April 24.
I have run a marathon before. In 2003, back when I was just a kid in my mid-40s, I completed the Houston Marathon. But I have never been an enthusiastic “runner” and even back then I found the training to be a pretty miserable experience. Still, I kept going and even managed to finish before they reopened the streets and packed away the finish line.
So when Sarah asked if I also wanted to run the London Marathon and use the experience to raise money for one of our favorite charities, ActionAid (she has a knack of finding ways to appeal to my heart; ActionAid helps fight poverty and injustice), the memory of all that miserable training came flooding back. But so did the exhilaration of crossing the finish line. I still have the feeling of accomplishment. It did take me a couple of days, but I did eventually say yes to London.
Ready, Set...
Now, Sarah and I aren’t particularly athletic. Nor are we obsessed with staying in shape or with fitness in general. We try to eat healthy, but often fail. We sign up for strict training programs and (sometimes) take an unscheduled day or two off. We don’t stretch our muscles the way we should and we certainly aren’t looking to break any records, but because we committed and gave our word to ActionAid, we have taken the challenge seriously. We are ready!
Being committed to running 26.2 miles is not something anyone should take casually. It is hard work and requires the completion of a lot of little goals before you can even consider tackling larger ones. (We got health checks, too.)
But like many tough things, the pieces start coming together. Enthusiasm builds and that keeps you moving forward. Even a few weeks back, I was already beginning to feel the excitement I know I will enjoy before the race and upon crossing the finish line. I also know that the city of London has a great reputation for supportive crowds and and there will be thousands of people there to cheer us along the way.
Not Stopping
As if running the marathon isn’t crazy enough, a couple of days after we cross the finish line in London, we are going to fly to Biarritz, France, walk across the Pyrenees Mountains and begin the 30-day, 800-kilometers trek across Spain along the “Camino de Santiago.”
Walking “the Camino” is something that has been on our bucket list for years, and when we saw an opportunity, we took it. I am looking forward to the scenery, the comradery and the food and the wine. I anticipate having an incredible walk and I know that it will give us more ideas about new places to visit. That is the problem with traveling, it is like a drug; traveling doesn’t get anything out of your system, it just makes you want more.
When we do these things, it gives us more common interests and shared experiences. It keeps our minds engaged and looking forward to the next goal.
We don’t do them because we find them easy. We do them because they are a challenge and they make us feel younger and excited about life.
Retirement is too precious to waste reliving old memories when there are so many memories yet to be made.
Follow this link to help us raise money for ActionAid. And I will be posting updates on our progress on my blog (Lifepart2.com), my Facebook page and Twitter (@LifePartII)  as often as possible. Thank you!


Why I'm Running the London Marathon In My 50s

Sixtysomething Drivers Are Getting a Bum Rap

John Stark

It was two days before Thanksgiving and Margaret Huang, 55, was on her daily afternoon walk. The route for the CEO of Credence, an Oakland, Calif.-based leadership development group, usually takes her through the city's Chinatown. But since Daylight Saving Time had just passed, her path was darker than usual.
Margaret Huang, a victim of a mugging in Oakland’s ChinatownSuddenly, two young men ran up behind Huang and proceeded to mug her, snatching her purse and pulling her Airpods from her ears. Stunned, Huang then saw her attackers running towards a white car where a third man was waiting. They entered the vehicle and took off.
"I don't remember much, because I was very scared."
The mugging took place in front of the Pacific Renaissance Plaza shopping mall. Four witnesses rushed to Huang's aid after the attack. As she spoke to them, Huang noticed a security camera above her.
In the days after the attack, officers said they'd apprehended her attackers. But without seeing the footage, which the police didn't provide, Huang couldn't be confident they had the right men. 
"I don't remember much, because I was very scared. I don't ever want to give a rough description," she said.
Huang then learned of similar Chinatown muggings by individuals who also took off in a white car. She also began seeing charges on her stolen debit card for fast food orders made days after the attack. Huang suspected her attackers were not in custody. She still does.
The Explosion in Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans
The national Stop AAPI Hate coalition has received nearly 3,000 reports of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (what AAPI stands for) in the United States since launching in March 2020. People 60 and older and women have been disproportionately targeted with physical violence.
Eric Toda, global head of social on Facebook, wrote on Adweek that "there's been a 1,900% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City in the past year."
California's Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus calls the surge in hate crimes "a national emergency."
Professor Russell Jeung, a co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, in Oakland’s ChinatownSoon after taking office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to condemn and combat violence against Asian Americans. But the hate crimes continue.
You may have seen some of the Asian American elder abuse reports on the news, such as the late January terrifying and brutal San Francisco killing of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, a Thai immigrant. His death, which sparked outrage and calls for protests, was featured in the recent People magazine article, "Violence Against Asian Americans: Rising Hate." Prosecutors have charged a suspect, who has pled not guilty to murder and elder abuse.
Hate crimes are rarely prosecuted since it's very hard to prove that an assault was targeted at a particular group.
Why Experts Think the Hate Crimes Are Rising
Some, like San Francisco State University Asian American Studies chair Russell Jeung, a co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, believe former President Donald Trump's use of the term "Chinese virus" to describe the coronavirus is a factor in the increase of violence racializing COVID-19.
Analysts offer several explanations for the growing number of hate crimes against Asian American elders in the United States in places ranging from New York City to Los Angeles.
Jeung also believes the attacks are the latest incarnation of America's troubled history with the Asian community.
Huang sees her mugging as a crime of opportunity in which she was targeted.
"We know historically there was the 'Yellow Peril' fear," he said. "There's a stereotype that Asians would come from the outside and invade as a threat to the West, especially with their diseases."
Such racism in the late 1800s led to the Chinese Massacre of 1871, when 500 white men lynched 20 Chinese men in Los Angeles' Chinatown.
Huang sees her mugging as a crime of opportunity in which she was targeted. "You've got a community that you think carries cash and you're targeting women," she said. The Bay Area has one of the highest concentrations of Asian Americans in the United States.
A lack of tourism in some of the nation's Chinatowns, due to pandemic-related restaurant closings and restrictions, has also made the streets less busy than before COVID-19, making people walking alone easier prey.
Changing Behaviors to Stay Safe
News of the increased attacks lately has caused many older Asian Americans to change their behavior.
For instance, Jeung's mother — who lives in the neighborhood where Ratanapakdee was killed — told her son that she doesn't plan to venture outside her predominantly Asian neighborhood anymore.
"Sadly we're getting restricted back to Chinatown just like in the nineteenth century," Jeung said.
Huang is advising others in her life to not walk alone at night and to avoid carrying anything of value.
It took Huang two weeks to return to walking outdoors after her attack. These days, she has changed her schedule to walk in the morning. "I think all the people who want to do these crimes are probably sleeping," she said. 
Kenyatta George, Derek Ko and Kellen Yu tape notices in Oakland’s Chinatown to help the community fight crimeAlthough Huang believes she's been afforded certain privileges because she was born in the U.S., is bilingual, college-educated and an entrepreneur, she has still found it difficult to navigate the criminal justice system. But she feels a strong sense of obligation to seek justice because of the obstacles older Asian Americans face in her community.
"They're just trying to survive and get their bills paid," she said. "Who really has time to navigate this bureaucracy?"
What Could Be Done to Protect Asian American Elders
Jeung would like to see stronger efforts made by government officials to address the hate crimes. For instance, he'd like the Biden administration to use some of the community relations services in the Department of Justice.
Community ambassador programs with foot patrols by local residents may help deter some crimes from occurring.
"During 9/11 they went out a lot to help communities understand their rights and mediate between conflicts," Jeung recalled.
Jeung also wants to see more enforcement of existing state and federal laws to address these crimes.
Community ambassador programs with foot patrols by local residents, like ones in uptown and downtown Oakland, may help deter some crimes from occurring.
Oakland's community ambassador program began three years ago jointly by the Asian Health Services and the Asian Prisoner Support Committee. It was created as a reentry initiative for former inmates and to address trash and safety issues in Oakland. But due to the pandemic, the pilot program for Chinatown has seen a decrease in funding, so the neighborhood remains unguarded.
Ener Chu, an associate director at the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, which provides affordable housing and services, is pushing to fund a community ambassador program in Oakland's Chinatown. He hopes to make that happen by creating a Business Improvement District (BID) there, possibly requiring area businesses to pay a tax to fund the safety group.
Chu and his Chinatown Coalition colleagues plan to present their proposal to the City Council in late Spring.
"We need something to make this permanent for the neighborhood," Chu said. Chu and his associates have surveyed business and property owners in Chinatown who have expressed interest in having more protection.
Chu and members of the Chinatown Coalition think encouraging community policing by residents and business owners is preferable to restoring a secondary police unit.
According to Chu, community ambassadors have prevented robberies and responded to mental health crises through their three-year history.
Huang favors the ambassador program and also wants to see more diverse patrons supporting the Asian American community in Chinatown.
"One of the best ways to be allies is to patronize the district, so there's more visibility of different kinds of people coming in and buying things," she said.
This article is made possible with funding from the NextFifty Initiative.

What Could Reduce Rising Hate Crimes Against Asian American Elders

Abdi Mohamed

Oregon law says I was supposed to get a new driver’s license within 30 days of moving to the state. But I’ve been back to my hometown for a year after nearly three years living and traveling in Asia and the Middle East in my late 40s, in search of adventure and a new sense of self-identity. So I guess I’m a tad late. And a scofflaw.
Tess Vigeland at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri LankaThere are a number of reasons I didn’t get around to the DMV. More than anything, for months and months after I got back to the states, where I formerly worked as a public radio host and journalist, I couldn’t decide where home was, or would be.
Getting a new driver’s license feels permanent and I didn’t want to embrace anything resembling permanence. Not after nearly several years of global perambulation. World travelers don’t put down roots. World travelers don’t bother getting a new driver’s license. A new passport, sure! But that’s a symbol of itinerancy, not stability. And I’d convinced myself that the last thing I wanted was stability.
Hopscotching Around Asia: All About New-ness
I figured coming back to Portland was a temporary waystation. I was convinced when I returned to the states that I’d want to live somewhere I hadn’t lived before. After all, my time hopscotching around Asia had been all about new-ness… new cultures, new foods, new faces, new avenues and alleyways. Novelty was my drug of choice, and I got a hit every time I landed in a new country.
It feels odd to say this but... I miss myself abroad. I miss who I allowed myself to be.
Clearly, I would want to feed that addiction when I got home. Go to a city that was new to me. Somewhere to explore people and places and pathways that were utterly unfamiliar. Tap that vein. Get that hit.
What I didn’t realize was that the transition back to a normal life in America would be much rougher than the transition to an unknown, strange and abnormal life abroad.
I didn’t realize the pressure I would put on myself to duplicate the outward successes of my previous life as a public radio broadcaster and journalist in Los Angeles. I felt stuck, but didn’t do any emotional work to unstick myself. And I felt tired. All the time.
Looking Back, a Year After Returning to the U.S.
When I look back now, one year later, I understand that I needed space, and time, to re-enter. From what I’ve read, this is common among expats who return to their home country.
When you’re traveling and living abroad for extended periods of time, you don’t realize how exhausting it is. Just the act of trying to communicate in places where you don’t know the language saps your mental and physical energy.
When everything is new, you aren’t aware how much your brain is working overtime to compensate for the constant unfamiliarity. For 32 months, that was my life: constant stimulus. It was addictive and, I now know, depleting.
Turns out, returning to the familiarity of my hometown was a relief to my system. I didn’t have to think so much, try so hard. It was a relief to have a ready-made community of friends and not have to seek out new ones in a new city.
Loving Life in Portland, Ore. Again
It was a relief to be surrounded by the comfortable and the familiar.
It also turns out that in the 25 years since I last lived here, Portland has become a pretty cool town. I love the clean air and water out of the tap. I love that specific shade of green that blankets Oregon hillsides and the smell of its forest cathedrals. After three years in the tropics, I love boots and sweaters and coats. And most of all, I love that my parents live here, and I can see them anytime.
Do I miss using my passport every couple of weeks? Absolutely.
Do I miss figuring out where to go next? Yup.
More than anything, though, I miss the intense friendships forged in the fire of living abroad. I miss the conversations about global politics, global travel and the global horrors of dating (my time abroad came post-divorce), over a bottle of wine and fresh-cut mangoes.
What I Miss: Myself Abroad
There’s one more thing I miss. It feels odd to say this but… I miss myself abroad. I miss who I allowed myself to be.
For nearly three years, I reinvented myself over and over and over. I’d land somewhere and nobody knew who I was, who I had been, what I did for a living, my marital status, what I liked and didn’t like… nothing.
No one had a single expectation of me. And there is a mind-blowing freedom in that. I’ve always been a genuine person, I hope, and I like to think I’ve let people see the real me for most of my life. But still… we all put on a show, don’t we? In some way?
I didn’t do that while I was traveling. I was fearlessly me.
I did not care one bit what strangers in a strange land thought of me (though of course I want always to be seen as a good global citizen). I was so absorbed in the adventure, in learning, in creating, in documenting, that I stopped thinking about ambition and perception and all the other things we’re taught to care about.
I was free to be whoever I wanted, however I wanted, for as long as I wanted. I was me, but even truer.
I feel like I’ve lost some of that. Quite a bit of it, actually.
Fearless, But Less Free
I’m still fearless. But I feel less free. I’m not sure why, though I do place some blame on stepping back into toxic American culture. Here, what seems to matter most is how much money is in your bank account and what you’re doing to climb another rung on the ladder. We apologize for taking naps and vacations and we identify ourselves by what we do for a living. I didn’t do that over there.
I still adventure; I went on a road trip recently and hiked at 10,000 feet alone among the world’s oldest living trees. I try mightily not to care what anyone else thinks. But it’s different from the Tess I was over there. I’d like to find that Tess again.
None of this is what I would have predicted when my flight landed from Seoul 12 months ago. But as I look back, it’s what was supposed to happen. And I’m going with it. I’ve gotten really good at that… just going with it.
It’s why I figured it was time to go get a new license. I can always get a different one if, and when, I move again.
I still believe nothing is permanent. And that’s a good thing. It means change is always afoot, even if you don’t know or feel it. I’m content in this moment to have a few small roots growing underneath me. And I’m enjoying doing some work that takes advantage of my skills, even if it’s not as high-profile as what I used to do. But I may change my mind in six months. Or five years.
‘Til then, I’ll hang onto this new license, even though the photo isn’t that great. Because at least for now… I’m home.


An American Expat Reflects on Coming Home

Tess Vigeland

Studies have primarily focused on caregivers from western societies, with little attention to potential cultural differences. Asians, in particular, have a great diversity, being the largest and most populous in the world. 
"Caregiving practices and attitudes toward aging, illness and end-of-life care vary widely across Asian cultures. Caregivers and health care providers need to be sensitive to these differences."In the United States, Asian Americans represent more than 30 nationalities and ethnic groups, but they are typically categorized as Asian or AAPIs (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) for reporting. 
Therefore, exploring the positive aspects of caregiving in the context of Asian communities is critical to developing a more robust understanding of dementia caregivers within this population. 
According to research published in BMC Geriatrics, positive aspects of caregiving are significant coping resources for informal caregivers of people with dementia (PWD). The study revealed three major themes: positive aspects within the self, positive aspects between caregiver and PWD, and positive aspects between caregiver and others. 
Comparing these themes across Asian and Asian American cultures is critical to building understanding and awareness about caregiving in these communities.
Moreover, AAPIs are among the fastest-growing population of older Americans in the United States. They come from the five largest ethnic groups: Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Indian and Korean. Like other underrepresented communities, some Asian-American subgroups have a higher risk of developing dementia than Whites. 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Asian Americans 65 years or older account for 8.4% of Alzheimer's cases and other dementias (ADRD), despite being less than 6% of the nation's population. But additional research is necessary to understand the prevalence of ADRD in this community. 
It is therefore important that health and social systems support dementia caregivers of AAPI elders through better training to understand the signs of dementia and the informal caregiving experience. Training can also help identify and tackle stressors to reduce caregiver burnout and depression. 
Findings from the BMC Geriatrics study show that better training to understand dementia caregiving is a sub-theme of one of the major themes, "positive aspects within the self," that can help caregivers cope. Further sub-themes included personal growth, role satisfaction and improved awareness of self-care. 
Exploring the positive aspects of caregiving in Asian communities is critical to developing a more robust understanding of dementia caregivers.
While the study is based in the experience of Asian people, this shows the similarities between Asians and the Asian diaspora regarding caregiving matters. As the saying goes, knowledge is power, so having information is critical to improving the caregiving experience. 
Other positive aspect of caregiving included demonstrating filial piety towards PWD, happiness and positive attitudes of PWD, positive interactions with PWD, and closer relationships with PWD. 
One thing that is unique to caregiving in the Asian community is the cultural emphasis on filial piety, which is a concept that emphasizes the importance of respecting and caring for one's elders, said Rajiv Ahuja, an associate director at the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging. 
"In many Asian cultures, filial piety is considered a moral duty and a way to show gratitude and respect for the sacrifices and contributions made by parents and elders. As a result, adult children in Asian families often prioritize caregiving for their aging parents and grandparents." 
But societies must address the cultural complexities in aging and filial obligation. For instance, it is a disservice to everyone if caregivers ignore their physical, mental and financial well-being because they are the primary or secondary caregivers. 
Hence strengthening the family unit is paramount to a successful caregiving experience, where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. It also involves having open and honest conversations and respecting others' opinions. 
"I never liked the idea of putting my parents in a home. I have been raised to believe it is almost like a disgrace," said Priya Mathews (not her real name), a government employee and second-generation American of Indian descent. 
"But living in America is so different. People work a lot, lives are busier, and it's not the same support system. I would try to keep my parents at home and get some assistance. I may need to make sacrifices like taking a leave of absence from work or resigning." 
Despite the stresses and strains of caregiving, a healthy family unit, befriending peers and sharing dementia and caregiving knowledge with others can make the caregiving experience worthwhile.
Yet we cannot control when life throws a curveball, mainly when historical decisions affect an entire nation. For example, the impact of China's "One-Child Policy" was tremendous and still affects families today. The one-child policy was about population control for economic growth. But it had long-term implications that are only now apparent — the primary one being the care and treatment of older adults. 
"But living in America is so different. People work a lot, lives are busier, and it's not the same support system."
China faces many challenges with a rapidly aging population, including families struggling to care for older adults and those with no children to care for them in old age. Sadly, those who have also lost their only children face barriers in accessing nursing homes, health care, and burial plots. 
As China struggles to address the physical and emotional needs of its massive and often rural, aging population, AAPI elders, particularly subgroups like Cambodian, Laotian and Hmong Americans, are also dealing with their unique experiences as minorities in the U.S. 
They may generally receive a delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment for dementia and face barriers to accessing services, stigma, language barriers and cultural conflicts in health care. One thing that people should know about caregiving in the Asian community is the importance of cultural competency and understanding, said Ahuja. 
"Caregiving practices and attitudes toward aging, illness and end-of-life care vary widely across Asian cultures. Caregivers and health care providers need to be sensitive to these differences." By challenging bias, health care can improve cultural competence, empathy and patient outcomes.
No region will be more impacted by population aging than Asia. In the U.S., rising longevity among AAPI elders continues to alter the demographic landscape. As populations increase, the social and economic burden of ADRD on these communities is expected to grow. 
Consequently, equipping family members to provide high-quality care will involve increasing cultural-specific aspects of caregiving. It also requires highlighting lived experiences as a major step toward better awareness and inclusion. For members of Asian communities, this is a game changer for improving the caregiving experience.


The Positive Aspects of Dementia Caregiving in Asian Communities

Sophie Okolo

When you think of pad Thai, pumpkin probably isn’t the first ingredient that comes to mind. But it can add an exciting new dimension to Thailand’s national dish. Pumpkin’s sweet earthy taste is the perfect complement to the distinctive quartet of traditional Thai flavors: sweet, salty, sour and spicy.
 
Over the past 15 years, pad Thai’s popularity has exploded in the United States, and it’s easy to understand why: The blend of tangy sweet noodles and crunchy vegetables and peanuts is irresistible. But you don’t need to go to a Thai restaurant to enjoy these fresh, complex flavors. Pad Thai is essentially just a stir-fry that requires little more than chopping and stirring, and it’s a perfect dish for a solo diner. And this time of year, it's a way to eat seasonally and, for most of us, locally.
Dining for one doesn't get much more flavorful and exotic than this American-Asian Pad Thai. It's wonderful served on its own or as the star of a full-fledged three-course meal, with a supporting cast featuring a Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce appetizer and an easy dessert of Gingered Apple Confit. This menu provides not just a full complement of tastes but a healthy blend of protein, complex carbs and (good) fats.
The one part of this menu that involves a bit of work is preparing the pumpkin, but it’s easier than you may think — and the awesome flavor is worth the effort. Pick a smaller, thinner-skinned eating variety, like sugar, New England pie or Cinderella. These are grown for sweetness and flavor (which the more fibrous jack-o'-lantern types lack), and they cook up beautifully. You can eat the carving kind, but they’re starchier and taste more like potato than pumpkin.
Adding pumpkin to rice noodles raises the dish’s nutritional profile. Pad Thai is relatively healthy to begin with — low in fat and featuring plenty of fresh vegetables — but the bonus of pumpkin is its nutrients: One cup contains 564 milligrams of potassium, 1.4 milligrams of iron and 3 grams of fiber, plus a decent dose of beta carotene, calcium and vitamin C.
The other unfamiliar ingredient in this recipe is rice sticks. These pale, translucent, flat noodles range in size from very thin to more than a quarter-inch wide. Unlike flour-based pasta, they don’t need to be boiled. Instead, you soak them in hot water until they’re tender, then quickly stir-fry them with the veggies. Look for them in the Asian section of large supermarkets or Asian grocers or order them online. 
 
Dining for one doesn't get much more flavorful and exotic than this American-Asian pad Thai. It's not just a delicious feast for your stomach but for all of your senses as well.
 
(MORE: Pumpkin Pie Goulash Casserole)
Menu
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Fall Pumpkin Pad Thai
Gingered Apple Confit
Drinks: You can pair this menu with beer or wine — or mulled cider. Try a German-style wheat beer, like a hefeweizen, or the classic Thai pale lager Singha. Both will balance nicely with the fresh flavors in the dish. A good wine choice is a straightforward white with a hint of sweetness, like a California, Alsatian or Finger Lakes riesling.
 
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
This recipe can also be made with beef, pork or shrimp. Soaking the bamboo skewers in water before threading on the chicken will prevent them from scorching during grilling. 
2 servings
 
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1½ teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
½ teaspoon grated lime zest
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
8 ounces boneless chicken breasts, pounded slightly and cut into 1-inch-wide strips
4 to 6 (8-inch) bamboo skewers, soaked in cold water for 20 minutes

		In a shallow bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, lime juice and zest, crushed red pepper and garlic. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Let stand for 15 minutes. Preheat a gas grill to medium high about 15 minutes before you're ready to cook the skewers, or heat a cast iron or other grill pan over medium-high heat about 3 minutes before. 
		Make the Peanut Sauce (recipe below).
		Thread the chicken strips onto each of the skewers. Place the chicken on the rack or grill pan that’s been coated with cooking spray, and grill the skewers for 5 minutes on each side or until chicken is just cooked through.
		Serve the chicken with the Peanut Sauce.Peanut Sauce
1/4 cup peanut butter, preferably chunky, at room temperature
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice-wine (or white) vinegar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, cayenne and vegetable oil until well blended.
 
Pumpkin Pad Thai
This Thai-restaurant favorite comes together at home in less time than you might imagine. It’s great as is, or you can toss thinly sliced chicken breast or peeled and deveined shrimp into the pan before adding the noodles.
2 servings
 
6 ounces dried wide and flat rice noodles (also called rice sticks)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon chile-garlic sauce, or more to taste
1½ tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups julienned fresh-baked pumpkin (see Cook’s Note, below) or other winter squash, such as butternut
1 garlic clove, minced
4 scallions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped roasted and salted peanuts

		Cover the rice noodles in hot tap water and soak cover in a large bowl until limp and white, about 20 minutes, or according to package directions. (Do not oversoak.) Drain well.
		In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar and chile-garlic sauce until well blended. Set aside.
		Heat the oil in a wok or heavy skillet over high heat until very hot. Add the pumpkin and stir-fry until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the scallions and garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds. Pour in the eggs and cook, scraping the skillet with a spatula, so the eggs are almost set, about 30 seconds. Transfer the egg mixture to a plate.
		Add the noodles and soy sauce mixture to the skillet and cook, tossing constantly, to coat the noodles with the sauce, about 1 minute. Return the egg mixture to the skillet and toss to coat, breaking up the eggs gently.
		Serve the noodles with lime wedges, garnished with the cilantro and peanuts. 
Cook’s Note:
Small cooking pumpkins, like sugar, are the best variety to use for this recipe and surprisingly easy to prepare, just follow these steps. 

		Start with one small cooking pumpkin (2-3 pounds) and, using a large heavy chef’s knife or cleaver, cut straight down to one side of stem.
		Spoon out the seeds and pulp from the halves.
		Place the pumpkins, cut-side down, on a wooden board. Remove sections of the skin using a downward motion with the knife.
		Cut the pumpkin flesh into wedges, then cut into thin strips — or whatever shape you desire. Proceed with recipe.Gingered Apple Confit
Nothing says autumn like an apple dessert. Here, warm and juicy sautéed apples are perfect served over cold vanilla ice cream. 
2 servings
 
1 tablespoon butter
1½ teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 cups (about ½ pound) diced (3/4-inch) peeled tart apples, such as Granny Smith, Cortland or Braeburn
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

		Melt the butter in a medium skillet over moderately high heat. Add the ginger and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the apples and sauté until just tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the sugar and cinnamon, and cook for about 2 minutes or until sugar melts and apples are coated.
		Serve the warm apples over vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt.Kathy Kingsley is a food writer and cookbook author in Newtown, Conn. 
 


Single Person’s Diet: Pumpkin Pad Thai

Kathy Kingsley

Holiday gift giving is in full swing in Minnesota. But among the chocolates, nuts and cookies that may be exchanged, one product, despite its local folklore, has rarely made the cut: Spam. To most Americans, the canned processed meat packaged by the Hormel Company of Austin, Minn. since 1937, doesn’t exactly say "special occasion" or "premium meat," yet that’s exactly how millions of people in South Korea view what has become their national ham.
Spend time in Korea during major holidays like Chuseok (Thanksgiving) and Seollal (Lunar New Year), and you’ll see retailers pulling out all the stops to display Spam gift sets for Koreans to take home as they return to their ancestral hometowns. Box sets containing multiple tins of Spam can sell for up to $80, sometimes paired with cooking oil.
In Korea, Spam meat is considered a premium brand. According to Hormel, Koreans eat more Spam than people in any other country outside the U.S.
“It couldn’t be a better-made relationship,” said Jaynee Dykes, a senior global brand manager at Hormel. “It’s pretty incredible to watch them use famous actors and actresses; it’s definitely advertised much differently there.”
The Introduction of Spam
In the U.S., Spam hasn’t enjoyed that kind of luxury appeal. Spam was first introduced overseas by way of the U.S. military during World War II. Its long shelf life and convenient pull tab tin container made Spam a GI staple when a million pounds of Spam were shipped overseas. In the 1950s, Spam also was sent with troops during the Korean War. By the end of the war, however, South Korea had plunged into crushing poverty. Meat was scarce, and obtaining a tin of Spam was not only unaffordable for most Koreans, it also required a military connection.
Resourceful Koreans were able to find scraps of discarded Spam near military encampments, said Byong Moon Kim, a Korean War historian based in Shoreview, Minn. At the time, Koreans could only afford to eat meat during their two major holidays. Spam became revered as a special treat and represented nutrition and fortune.
Tins of Spam eventually made it to the black market, but at an inflated cost. Some U.S. troops gave out their extra rations of Spam as a humanitarian act amidst the widespread hunger. Spam’s shiny packaging appealed in a country where anything new and foreign was a novelty.
Koreans Make Spam Their Own
Koreans incorporated Spam into a cuisine known for its jjigaes or stews. Spam became a main ingredient for a spicy jjigae aptly named budaejjigae or ‘military stew.’ The kitchen-sink concoction often also included tofu, leafy greens and baked beans. Later, other items such as instant noodles, rice cake and hot dogs were added. Today, many young people in Korea enjoy budaejjiage  as an inexpensive dish that is easily shared in a group.
Kim said another reason the popularity of Spam has endured in Korea is because the taste goes remarkably well with Korean fermented kimchi, a local meal mainstay.
In the 1980s, Hormel licensed Spam to CJ CheilJedang Corp. to sell to the masses in Korea. The Korean company pays Hormel a percentage of its sales to use the Spam logo and recipe, but the meat and ingredients are sourced locally.
These days, few know the origins of Spam in Korea or why it’s still a beloved gift. Byong Moon Kim said that for him, and other older generation Koreans like him, Spam will always spark a sense of nostalgia.
“Spam represents two things in my heart,” Kim, 73, said. “One is that it reminds me of the hard times. And it also reminds me of the process of Korea becoming a prosperous country.”
Spam gift box setSpam's Success in Korea Continues
Spam’s place in Korean hearts is something of a dream for Hormel. The company wouldn’t divulge numbers, but said sales in Korea represented a fourth of its overall global business — now in 40 countries. And that demand doesn’t appear to be waning. Dykes said Korean sales have increased by an average of 10 percent annually for the past five years. A large part of the growth has come from Spam gift box sets.
Dykes said she sometimes has a tough time convincing people the demand is real.
“When I come back here and share [the stories] with my coworkers, most of them don’t even believe it,” Dykes said. “It’s something people have a hard time understanding unless they see it.”
But Spam’s success there might be specific to Korea. Dykes said Korea’s history with Spam along with a strong cultural tradition of gift-giving is a formula not easily replicated everywhere. This year, Hormel built a facility in China in hopes of expanding its Asian markets. But according to Dykes, the company’s relationship with Korea may be hard to beat.


Spam: A Luxe Gift in South Korea

Kaomi Goetz

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