London Fire – Captivations in between Life and Death
In Hollywood movies, perhaps it’s not uncommon to see skyscrapers exploding into fire. But the fire at London’s 24-story Grenfell Tower on June 14 and the screams of those who died trapped inside shocked everyone. Witnesses say people were screaming for help in front of windows—a minute later, lights blacked out and flames followed. Some […]
Looking into the depths of ‘In the Heart of the Sea’
Recently, on a flight I was lucky to watch In the Heart of the Sea in a new light, and reflect on the subtle nuances, and humanist spirit of the characters caught in a desperate situation. I first watched the movie when it was released at the end of 2015, and was impressed with its […]
US army drops the MOAB bomb to ISIS in Afghanistan
The US military has dropped an MOAB bomb targeted to ISIS in Afghanistan According to CNN reported,a GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, nicknamed MOAB, was dropped at 7 p.m. local time Thursday. The MOAB is also known as the “mother of all bombs.” A MOAB is a 21,600-pound, GPS-guided munition that is America’s most […]
California is in BLOOM!
After several years of drought the Golden state of California is once again in bloom. Plagued for three years without rain this past winter’s onslaught of wind, rain and rising tides has revitalized nature in wondrous ways. Mountains are in coming alive in brilliant shades of yellow, white and purple. While most Californians are strangers […]
In Simi Valley, There is Something for Everyone
Located in between the Santa Susana Mountains and the Simi Hills of California, Simi Valley is a city that roughly 127,000 people call home. Yet in Simi Valley, everyone, not just the locals, tend to feel right at home. Simi Valley (pronounced “suh-MEE” rather than SEE-mee), gains its name from the Chumash Indian word “Shimiyi” […]
The First Chinese-born Artist to Perform at the White House ~ Wu Man ~
When Wu Man first enters the lobby of the vibrant Westwood community of Los Angeles’ stylish Palomar Hotel, she looks more like a casually-dressed soccer mom than the most famous pipa player in the world. Busily checking her smart phone for messages she looks up and smiles. Warm greetings abound as we settle into the […]
President Donald Trump plans to meet China President Xi Jingping
President Donald Trump plans to host Chinese President Xi Jinping at a two-day summit next month. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 6-7 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, U.S. online media outlet Axios reported on Monday, citing officials familiar with the plans. It said the plan was tentative and that Secretary of State […]
With Perfect Fusion of Tradition and Creativity - Blancpain Elevates Over 280 Years of Swiss Craftsmanship
In many ways, the story of Blancpain in present-day Switzerland bears a striking resemblance to the enduring dynasties of Chinese history. Among the many dynasties throughout Chinese civilization – the Great Tang Dynasty (618- 907) was the one that lasted more than 282 years. It is truly a remarkable feat to remain strong and enduring for […]
Buellton – America’s Beloved Small Town
Image credit: Lihua Zheng/New San Cai In the hit indie film Sideways, two friends decide to venture on a road trip to California wine country, filled with iconic landscapes, delectable wines, and endless charm. This season – instead of watching a movie about someone else’s adventure – choose to make your own memorable trip along […]
Carmel-by-the-Sea: A Fairytale Destination
Travel along the Pacific coast, about 120 miles south of San Francisco, and you’ll come across the delightfully magical town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Referred to as Carmel for short, the small town with a population of just a few thousand is renowned for its natural seaside beauty and charm. The beach offers a stunning view of […]