Live long enough in Irvine, California, and you might begin to think you are living in “The Truman Show.” Sunny during all seasons, days blur into years under blue skies, white clouds, trimmed hedges, and asphalt streets. For 18 years, I grew up in Irvine, one of three babies born on a sunny December day […]
All over social media, being Chinese has become the new trend. Over the past year, Americans have begun “Chinamaxxing,” imitating Chinese culture in all aspects of their lives. From adopting Chinese wellness practices like traditional medicine and tai chi, to discovering a newfound passion for Popmart figurines, the year of the horse, and dim sum, […]
When my mom was in college, she was obsessed with boy bands. A defining cultural phenomenon of the late 1990s and early 2000s, these groups dominated the pop landscape at the height of their influence, gathering cult-like followings. My mom was among the many young girls lured in by the intoxicating cocktail of heart-aching ballads, […]
The story goes that tea was invented in 2737 B.C.E. by the Chinese emperor Shen Nong when a few leaves accidentally floated into his boiling water. Since then, it has been a quintessential part of Eastern and Western life, whether it’s a cup of black tea to start the morning or an herbal concoction to […]
Staring at a blank page this week with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I find myself drafting a love poem. This is hard work for me; I actually tend to avoid it. I can’t recall the last love poem I wrote that had not left me embarrassed by how quickly my words curdled into cliché metaphors. […]
Every year on October 31, the world dresses up. From oozing blood to plush fur, gleaming armor to inflatable suits, there is no limit to what people wear. For a single day, sidewalks turn into public runways. We stride through the night as designers, performers, and works of art. Halloween may be the most democratic […]
Harvard University Dining Services receives enough grief. From the friend who hasn’t stepped into Annenberg in a week to the faithful late-night Brain Break snacker, every student has an opinion about the food that fills our plates. But tucked behind the soft-serve machine, HUDS is quietly introducing us to cuisines as diverse as the students […]
In just four months, the American comedy world has been shaken. On Sept. 17, ABC briefly suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, and in July 2025, CBS announced the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” These moves sparked concern among comedians worldwide about the narrowing space for political satire and the erosion of free speech. […]
