FamiLee Life

Samchuly :: Korean Bicycles

Today, I went on a 24+ mile bicycle ride with Paul. It was a beautiful day for riding and we took full advantage of it. The Bstone Eurasia handled itself well, although I definitely want to replace the handlebars and probably the stem too. I think I will want a wider bar and higher stem. Just to make the ride more comfortable. Otherwise, it was a great ride.

When I got home, I started to think about why I've never heard of Korean bicycles. This led to a bit of googling and eventually to Samchuly bicycles. I have no idea if they are decent quality or not but I liked the funky look of this model. It's called the Lespo. I love the odd seat which seems to be have a tensioning system that looks like a coat hanger. Unfortunately, I could find no specs for the bicycle. There is a mini-description of the company in English here and on Wikipedia.

I will keep exploring the Korean bicycle industry. Maybe when I visit Korea this summer, I will take a day to check out a bicycle shop. Or maybe I should be adventurous and do this bicycle tour of South Korea. Who knows...maybe I will need to pay a bit more for luggage when I return home!

Adoption Statistics to Think About

I'm preparing a talk for the upcoming Association of Asian American Studies conference in NYC. For this talk, I will be reviewing the history and current status of behavioral science research on international adoption. But with most of my talks, I like to begin with population statistics to place international adoption in perspective. Recently, I came across some interesting numbers for Massachusetts and Minnesota.

MASSACHUSETTS
In 2004, there were 2,392 adoptions in the state. Of these, 1,352 (57%) were international adoptions; 816 (34%) were adopted through foster care; and 224 (9%) were private, domestic adoptions.

MINNESOTA
In 2005, there were 1,650 adoption in the state, excluding private, domestic adoptions. Of these, 918 (56%) were international adoptions; 732 (44%) were adopted through foster care.

The Minnesota data was drawn from the 2005 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (Supplemental Table 4) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services Child Welfare Report of 2005.

The Massachusetts data was drawn from the UMASS Center for Adoption Research 2005 Agency Report which provides data on all agencies in the state who facilitated adoptions. By Mass law, they are required to report this information to the Center. Interestingly, the number of international adoptions reported differ from the numbers reported by the 2004 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics (Supplemental Table 4). According to the Yearbook, only 876 visas were issued to immigrant-orphans in 2004 (not 1,352). Using this more conservative number for international adoptions, they are still more than the number of foster care adoptions in Massachusetts.

Again, just some adoption statistics to think about in the larger geo-political context of things.

Still Present Pasts :: Korean Americans and the Forgotten War

For the past 1.5 years, I have been heavily involved in the planning, fundraising, and promotion of STILL PRESENT PASTS which is a traveling national multimedia art and oral history exhibit on the legacies of the Korean War as reflected upon and remembered by Korean Americans (click here for more info). The SPP national exhibit features art inspired by the oral histories of generations of Korean Americans who personally lived through the Korean War or who have been affected by the war through immigration, adoption, or other disruptions and displacements.

The Minnesota Still Present Pasts committee, chaired by me, is composed of faculty and staff from the University of Minnesota, artists and community leaders, and representatives from Intermedia Arts and Korean Quarterly. The SPP is presented by the UMN Institute for Advanced Study in partnership with many university and community organizations. Together, we have assembled an amazing array of local art and program events to complement the national exhibit.

Over the next week or two, I will be drawing readers' attention to the exhibit and related programs. But for now, mark this date -- APRIL 14th at 7 pm! This is the opening night blowout at Intermedia Arts at 2822 Lyndale Ave South in Minneapolis. Invite 10 people and come to the exhibit opening.

My Surprise (Unveiled)

It started out so innocently. A mere hobby. Something to do for exercise, relaxation, and pure enjoyment (see here). As you may recall from previous posts #1 and #2, I eventually decided to focus my attention on Bridgestone bicycles, as I already owned two of them (XO-3 and MB-3). So, last year, I purchased a RB-1 and I thought my collection was complete.

Then, if you may indulge me, I started to talk with a friend, Paul L, about biking and camping around town. Something called a S24O for a sub-24 hour overnighter. You bike to a local spot, camp for the night, and bike back the next day or two. Well, this got me thinking of which bicycle I would fit with racks, basket, and panniers. The XO-3 was a good option but I wanted to bicycle with more of a road bike-feel. Specifically, a touring bike. I was hopeful to retro-fit the RB-1 for this purpose, but I decided against it because of the frame geometry and the cost to do so.

After browsing ebay for months, I came across the bike (shown above). I waited patiently and then anxiously as the bidding time came near to a close. Then, I started to bid with an upper price point in mind. With luck and (ahem) skill, I won the bicycle. Here are a couple of more photographs.

It is a Bridgestone Eurasia EAD500 and it dates back to 1988 or so. A check of the serial numbers suggest it was built in 1988 and probably sold in 1989. The cool thing about the bicycle is that it was never sold in the United States. I think it's most comparable US-sold bike is the Bridgestone T-700. It was purchased by a woman in Japan (her name was Yuko) who eventually must have moved to the states and then sold to a Japanese American man (his name was Takeuchi). The bike never exactly fit him and so he put it up for sale on ebay. Lucky me! As the new owner, I have named the bike, Yuko Takeuchi.

This is a touring bike which means the wheelbase is a bit longer than on my RB-1, comes equipped with eyelets to attach racks, and can accommodate larger size rims/wheels. I believe it's pretty stock (with Suntour Cyclone 7000 dérailleurs, Nitto technomic stem, Nitto 105 bars) but I did add a Brooks saddle, Berthould steel fenders, and MKS Sylvan pedals. Eventually, I am going to replace the Nitto handlebars which was very narrow (39 cm), but am waiting to decide on what will replace them. Importantly, it rides like a dream.

So, okay, enough bike porn for a Monday morning. Enjoy and see you on the road.

Adoption Updates

Just came across this AP report on the US State Department's recommendation to not adopt from Guatemala due to serious concerns over fraud and extortion. This recommendation comes on the heels of Guatemala adoption taking over the number two spot on top sending countries in 2006 (see here). Plus, the long-term future of adoption from Guatemala remains to be determined with the eventual implementation of the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption.

Another interesting trend is the rising number of adoptions from Liberia. Three hundred and fifty three orphan children were issued visas from Liberia. Nearly double the number from the year before. I personally find this trend disturbing from a historical perspective, given the roots of Liberia and the United States role in the creation of this country for "freed" slaves. It's just a strange and tragic twist of history to be adopting children who are the long ago descendants of slaves.

Surprises....

I have a surprise to share with everyone....but I shall keep you waiting to discover what it may be. Actually, I need to do a little more xyz before I unleash the surprise.

Meanwhile, I decided to throw a surprise to someone who has been working her tail off. When stress overwhelms, tank goodness!

Good Science....say it again!

A very interesting NYTimes read on the very well-known (in academic circles) Meyerhoff Scholarship Program at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County campus. Students who participated in this undergraduate program total 550 with 271 of them pursuing graduate work in a scientific area. That's impressive! Of course, these students of color were high achieving to begin (great grades and standardized test scores) but it still says a lot in this day and age.

At Minnesota, we have a much smaller-scale program in Psychology called the Research Experience for Undergraduates in the Behavioral and Cognitives Sciences. It is a 10-week summer program funded by NSF and UMN for advanced undergraduate students seeking careers in psychology. I have mentored three students in my 6 summers in Minnesota and all three eventually went on to PhD graduate programs in psychology. That's a pretty typical track record for these students.

And, importantly, as mentioned in the NYTimes article, it begins with good science.

News Reports on Chinese Birthparents

I was alerted to this blog - Research-China.Org - which will be highlighting recent newspaper reports of interviews with Chinese birthparents who relinquished parental rights through abandonment of the children. I am not sure where this will all go but it's worthwhile to follow and critique as time goes on.

Friends in High Places :: Congrats to Venora!

Just got home from a late night at work and was surfing the Star Tribune website to learn that my friend, Venora Hung, was elected to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents! Whoo-hoo! Venora ran for the student regent slot but ended up getting elected to represent the 5th Congressional District. Go figure. Politics, I guess. Anyway, congratulations to Venora who is a 1st year law student at the University. The wonders of it all. Great to have friends in high places!

Slip of the Tongue

My friend Christine (via her husband Tai) forwarded this video clip to me and I just had to get online to spread the word. It's an amazing piece of poetry and video. It's called Slip of the Tongue. It was part of the Sixth Annual Media That Matters Film Festival. Check it out!

Toilet Burps and Other House Lessons

A week ago, the city decided to tear up a part of my home street to repair or replace some water pipes, I think. I am not exactly sure what they were (and still are) doing, except that one day there was a tag on my front door which said they had to shut off the water supply to my house until the mysterious problem was fixed. It was not a big deal to me since I was heading out to work before they had to shut off the water. When I got home, it seems the repairs were made and my water line was back on. For the next day, as I turned on a faucet or flushed the toilet for the first time, there was a hiccup in the system until the air pressure was released. All worked fine except for my troublesome upstairs toilet which has had a variety of minor grumbings over the last couple of years.

Upon flushing the toilet, it would literally burp with air at the start of the flush. Plus, the bowl was not filling up to the previous level. Of course, in my laziness, I really did nothing about it, thinking it would magically go away. A week later, it did not...until today!

Thank goodness for the internet and specifically for google. I simply keyword searched "toilet flush burp" and the second click gave me the answer. Amazing.

Owning a house is filled with these little moments of excitement. My other concern these days is the fear of an ice dam build up on my roof, due to the heavy snow over the last 8 days. I never knew a thing about ice dams until my neighbor rang my doorbell about 3 years ago and asked if I wanted to borrow his roof rake. I had no idea what he was talking about until he explained its purpose. Since then, I have used it twice. In fact, I used another neighbor's roof rake the other day. Then, I noticed that there was a yellow-ish icicle hanging from the corner of my house on the eave. Argh! I think there is moisture somehow getting under the shingles at this spot and leaking a bit into my roof. It does not seem bad but I think it is caused by a minor ice dam buildup. I will probably have to fix this "leak" in the Spring.

Given that the home was built in 1923, I am sure there are plenty of little things that need repair. Were I a handy man, it might be "fun" or "purposeful," but instead it's just a pain to me. I have to get my chimney tuckpointed as the cement between the bricks are loose and needing repair. I also need to replace some plumbing in the lower bathroom to remove some rust that builds up otherwise. There are probably a few other things to do to upkeep the home. And then, of course, there are the squirrels and chipmunks that are the bane of my existence.

Yet, I love owning a home. I am fortunate and thankful to be able to afford a lovely home. I love waking up without the nuisance of neighbors walking above me. I love being able to watch tv loudly, host late-night parties, and have a permanent mailing address. It's the little things that add up. Sometimes, they add up in terms of fixing this or that, but mostly they add up in so many good ways.

It's Snowing, Let's Talk Coffee

Winter (the snowy kind) finally arrived in Minnesota. So much so, in fact, that the University even closed its doors (gasp) on Thursday afternoon. Despite it being a balmy 28-30 degrees outside, they shut down because of the blustery winds and accumulating snow. I stayed at work till normal hours and then drove home slowly. The highways were actually open and safe to drive. Of course, the University is back open today. I decided to work from home, in part because of the weather and because I have a cold (and no voice).

But I am not here to talk about weather -- that's b-o-r-i-n-g! Instead, let's talk coffee!

I grew up hating, HATING, coffee for the simple reason that my parents drank tons of the cheap, fake stuff (Taster's Choice) by the cup full when I was a child. Moreover, their breaths stank of bitter, sour coffee. I vowed to not drink coffee for this reason alone. I held my ground too all through college and graduate school. I only drank hot tea. Then, I started teaching at UT-Austin and began to eat Starbucks coffee and chocolate chip ice cream to cool down from the hot weather. This got me enjoying the flavor of coffee. One day, while actually in a Worcester (MA) diner off the highway, I decided to take the coffee plunge. Diner coffee - the only way to get indoctrinated into coffee culture.

Since that fateful day, I have mixed coffee consumption into my daily routine, along with hot tea (which I still prefer to drink in the afternoons). I even have bought three coffee machines in these intervening years, but (I confess) I am a horrible coffee maker. First, I bought the non-electric kind that requires you to boil water and then pour it into the plastic cone-shaped filter. Next, I bought a cheap Hamilton-Beach electric machine which coffee-fiend friends said would make terrible coffee because the filter was not cone-shaped. Finally, I got myself a nice Cuisineart electric machine with a cone-shaped filter and even a water filtration system. Still, despite all these upgrades in coffee machines, I continued to make terrible coffee.

Eventually, over time, I discovered Americano coffee which I really enjoy more than regular coffee. I particularly like it when it is made with 1/3-1/2 water, so there is a nice crema on top. I also learned that I like the "long pull" which apparently means it is run through the espresso machine twice. Then, while traveling through Europe, I learned to appreciate adding a bit of cream and sugar to this drink. Yum! I found the perfect taste for me.

But still, I could not master coffee making in my home. It's quite embarrassing when you love to cook and host dinners, but then end the night with badly made coffee.

Fortunately, I recently discovered the Italian aluminum drip coffee maker! A few people had recommended it in recent months, so I finally found one - a Pezzetto - for $12 while discount shopping at Marshall's! What a deal!

I did not know how to make coffee in this machine, so I went online for some help. I came across this useful site. Next, I bought some nice Morningstar espresso Italian roast ground coffee yesterday and made a fresh cup this morning. Oh my! I love it! Perfecto! Strong, flavorful, full. Ah...finally the kind of coffee I have been trying to make for years!

And what I love best about it is that it's completely manual! No need for electricity (just a gas range stove or open fire pit). I can bring the aluminum pot with me camping even. Wonderful.

Well, as for the bad breath fears due to childhood memories, I just drink plenty of water, brush my teeth regularly, and make sure to not consume gallons of coffee all day long.