Extended Weekend Family Visit

source: High Line Hotel, New York's Chelsea neighborhood

I returned this morning from a long weekend trip to New York for a family gathering at the High Line Hotel in Chelsea. I shared a suite with big sister Cindy and Mom's younger sister Mary. As I get older, these kind of gatherings become much more meaningful.

It was a fun and memorable event, right down to the flights to and from New York.

• No airport parking needed. Roommate let me park my car in his garage and gave me a ride to the airport.
• No shoes, jacket or laptop to remove during screening process. TSA is under a trial prescreen period which expedites the process to get to the gate. 
• Wide selection of in-flight entertainment. Flight time goes so much faster when there's a good movie to watch.

I only hope my next trip on a plane will be as painless.

Stephen Curry's pre-game workout

source: Golden State Warriors/YouTube

Tonight, the Golden State Warriors go into Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Final versus the Houston Rockets. The Warriors are currently 3-0 in the series. A win tonight will put them into the NBA Finals which begins June 4.

If you've watched any of the Warriors post season games, it's not (pun fully intended) rocket science to see why Steph Curry was selected this year's MVP. So far, he's broken Reggie Miller's record of post season 3-point goals and scored 30 or more points in his last 4 games.

Steph's defense isn't exactly shabby either. In Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, Chef Steph and teammate/fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson prevented Houston Rockets guard/MVP runner-up James Harden from scoring to end Game 2 with a 99-98 win.

In Game 3, Steph followed his own missed shot and boxed out Rockets center Dwight Howard for the rebound. Curry is 6'3", 185 pounds. Howard is 6'11", 275 pounds. Howard is a 4-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

To get a glimpse of why Steph is a megastar, you have to watch (in awe) and appreciate his pre-game routine. Greatness doesn't happen without practice. Lots of it.

2015 San Francisco USBC Tournament

Today, I finished bowling 3 squads (all doubles) of the Chinese-Japanese Spring Invitational at Cloverleaf Bowl in Fremont. Like my results from the USBC Women's Nationals in Reno, I only bowled 1 series above my average. From a half-full glass standpoint, the total pins of the 9 games bowled came very close to my regular season average.

Last week, I bowled 3 squads at the San Francisco USBC Championships at Sea Bowl in Pacifica. It was probably the best I bowled in a tournament. Although my lowest series was team, our team, Friends, is currently in 4th place. There was a session that bowled today so I should know final results within the next few days.

If it holds up our team will cash out. I may end up getting some cash for the other events I bowled as well.

****UPDATE, MONDAY, MAY 18****
Unofficial final standings came in.
Team: 6th place. Missed cashing out by 31 pins.
Doubles: 18th place.
Singles: 24th place.
All events: 37th place.
Overall, it was a very good showing considering how many teams and number of bowlers with higher averages and tournament experience we competed against.

Team name: Friends, 4th place

Singles, 18th place

Doubles, 14th place with partner Jason Wu
Teammates Walter and Monica Kwok, 13th place

All events, tied, 21st place
Teammates Walter Kwok, 14th place, Monica Kwok 15th place

Stephen Curry, 2014-15 NBA MVP - full speech

source: vibe.com

Last week, as many of us here in the San Francisco Bay Area knew would happen, Golden State Warrior point guard Stephen Curry was selected by the National Basketball Association as this season's Most Valuable Player.

In my opinion, it couldn't have happened to a more likable, hard-working, humble guy.

If you're a Steph Curry fan and have 40 minutes to spare, watch the full version of his acceptance speech. It's clear how grateful and appreciative he is to current and former coaches and teammates, Warriors staff and management, friends, and most of all, his immediate family.

Again, congratulations, Steph. We couldn't be any prouder.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - East of Main Street

source: HBO

The month of May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

If you're a regular follower of my blog, I've written about numerous documentaries and films that highlight the Asian-American experience. 

In my August 29, 2012 entry, I wrote about an excellent HBO series called "East of Main Street" by Jonathan Yi.

The latest film in the series, "Taking The Lead" was released this past week. It features interviews with leading Asian-American actors such as Daniel Dae Kim, Lucy Liu, BD Wong and Aasif Mandvi.

Here's the trailer:



If you're an HBO subscriber, the other short films in the series previously featured are also available to view.