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Miniature Museum Of Taiwan (袖珍博物館 Miniature Museum Of Taiwan), Taipei
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Miniature Museum Of Taiwan (袖珍博物館 Miniature Museum Of Taiwan), Taipei

Random photos of my Taiwan trip. Lots of first for me even though I’ve been here many times. Lots of lasting memories of my past. Saw my grandparents home in Tainan. My old apartment in Taipei. My old apartment in Shanghai, too. The Apple Store and Xiaomi store in the xinyi district. Lots of trains and stations. I hope to return again sooner than this last time of 10 years. Last of all, it was great to see old friends and to make new memories with them. . . .

Museum as Retail Space, Los Angeles
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Museum as Retail Space, Los Angeles

There is a park in honor of a Chinese general named Zheng Chenggong, Prince of Yanping - 鄭成功. He is of significance to me and family personally since our family immigrated from China with him back in the 1640’s or so. This time when I visited my relatives in Hualien, my cousin mentioned that she had our family tree. I’d like to take a look and see our history. So, this statue is the largest statue in China depicting historical figure. It was built on a natural forming stone structure in the bay of Xiamen. Very interesting to visit and see. Glad I went. . . .

Legacy Taipei, Taipei
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Legacy Taipei, Taipei

Taipei DangDai art & ideas. Got to check out the Taipei art show. Taiwanese artist with artists from around the world including Japan, Europe and Africa. Galleries were also from around the world, too. I enjoy and appreciate art. Wish I had more time to really study and understand contemporary artists and their inspirations. I hope to find artists and their works that really connect with me. For me, design is important, but I feel the story behind the works might be even more significant to me. . . .

Taroko National Park entrance
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Taroko National Park entrance

Taroko National Park entrance. Due to the recent earthquake, the park is shut down for at least 6 months. This iconic park brings back memories when I was kid visiting with my family, then later on with the Taiwanese Study Tour (Love Boat). My cousin’s wife has a little shop midway up to the final stone temple. Now she is forced to close and her employees are now without work. Hualien’s local economy was already suffering. Now with this earthquake - I was told the government wasn’t or hasn’t provided any financial assistance to the community. With the lack of tourist from China, the no go decision to extend the HSR to Hualien, and now this earthquake- Hulalien will be looking at some lean times. I feel for my relatives and community that I adore. . . .

Former Provisional Government Site of the Republic of Korea (大韩民国临时政府旧址), Shanghai
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Former Provisional Government Site of the Republic of Korea (大韩民国临时政府旧址), Shanghai

Nectar of gods or motor oil. Moutai Jiu is undisputed and most popular white wine of China. My classmates and I had a great dinner with Moutai. From the southwest region of China in Guizhou, Moutai has a unique flavor - you have to grow to like it. But some people will feel that Chinese white wine is like motor oil or rubbing alcohol. Strong AF. I do not recommend going up against anyone in a drinking contest if they can drink Chinese white wine. The typical shot of white wine is the size of a thimble. When u was in HKG I had a few drinking buddies who called ourselves the Moutai club. I have loads of stories of Chinese white wine. Another unique thing about this stuff is- you won’t get a hangover. I also think that Moutai, like tequila, get better after the third shot. Sorry for the ramblings. . . . .china

We got to see the sites where Pablo Escobar was part of Medellin
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We got to see the sites where Pablo Escobar was part of Medellin

We got to see the sites where Pablo Escobar was part of Medellin. We saw his lake side home, which was bombed. The community that Escobar built, where he is honored and loved with murals, art, and graffiti. Visited his former apartment home, which is a now a sober memorial that remembers the bombing and deaths he caused. And lastly we visited his grave and tombstone. This part of the trip is a reminder of how far Medellin has come from to where it is now. We are not honoring Escobar at all, but seeing the progress from the nightmares he caused to how great Medellin is now. People questioned the safety of the current Medellin. It has changed dramatically with the help of leaders and the community. . . . . . .

Buffalo Trace, Louisville
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Buffalo Trace, Louisville

First Distillery tour - Buffalo Trace. Amazing distillery with one of the hottest tours in Louisville. Buffalo Trace, Wellers, Pappy’s, Fireball, Blantons, and other bourbons are made here. Got to see where they bottle single barrel bourbon. Luckily, we got a chance to purchase a Blantons. It was here, where I learned the most about bourbon distilling. I recommend trying to get a tour appointment here first, when coming to Louisville. Reserve early!! . . . . . . .

This is my Grilled Cheese Sandwich
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This is my Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This is my Grilled Cheese Sandwich. I’m entering in The Great Grilled Cheese Contest. This is a simple recipe with sliced cheese the hardest part is the patience. You don’t want high heat burning your bread. . . Ingredients are. . . - 1 slice of TJ Aged Swiss Cheese - 1 slice of TJ Pepper Jack Cheese - 1 slice of TJ Sharp Cheddar Cheese - a couple of slices of TJ sourdough bread . . 1. Use a cast iron skillet and have the heat on medium low. 2. Butter the skillet generously 3. Place a single slice of sourdough bread and wait till the bottom 4. Place the cheese slices on the bread and cover with a lid. This will help melt the cheese and speed up the browning of the bread 5. When bread is browned to your liking, use a spatula and lift the bread and cheese. 6. Butter the skillet once again and carefully flip the cheese and bread and place onto second slice. 7. Check bottom for desired color 8. Remove and cut in half and pair with Trader Joe’s organic tomato cream soup and enjoy . . . .

Cheeseburger Tamales
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Cheeseburger Tamales

Cheeseburger Tamales! That’s right! Cheeseburger!!!! Using corn husks and pre-made mixed masa from .supermarkets I experimented and added ground beef 80/20 with burger seasoning and sharp cheddar cheese. Hand packed with a spoon. Steamed in an old rice cooker. Viola!! Done. Best served and eaten immediately. Goes great with . Yup ketchup. The classic flavor combination of a cheeseburger with ketchup and the slight flavor of the traditional corn masa. It is interesting and tastes pretty good. The strong flavors of the cheddar cheese stands out. Let me know if you would try this or if you have a unique mash up! What do you guys think? . . . . . . .supermarkets

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
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Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Saving the best for last. saw amazing art all the while getting lost. David Hockney’s exhibit was especially interesting with his different art phases, including his LA images. Saw ancient Egyptian artifacts and art from 2500+ BC, with the 2 hippos and the huge mummy tomb. Got to see the “Thinker” from the sculptures from Rodin exhibit. And I believe the Met has more French Impressionist painting than MOMA, especially Monet. And went the American Wing and saw the great Washington Crossing the Potomac from history books.