Hi, I’m Lisa Bradley and this is my first ever blog! This section will deal with what “Home” means for me as well as my journey to integrate how Asian American Pop Culture has influenced and expanded my thoughts, feelings and perceptions on   what “Home” means to me. 

For me “Home” conjures up various emotions and sensory stimuli. Home is not always a specific place. A simple smell can thrust me back to a time, place and memory. The smell of really good strong fresh coffee transports me to my grandparents kitchen. This trickle down affect starts my emotions on a trip down memory lane to a time and place of the past.

I grew up in a time of Bruce Lee, Star Trek  (Hikaru Sulu), Elvis in Blue Hawaii. I didn’t  realize it at the time, but there was a definite influence upon my life. Blue Hawaii gave a me a glimpse into the Islander Americans through the magic of television. I’m not saying that all of the depictions were politically correct, but it gave me a view of a completely different lifestyle and culture. I remember being so mesmerized as I watched and declaring that I wanted to go there someday to experience this culture. As it turns out I honeymooned there and have gone there several other times with a new trip in the works.

I felt that there was a home connection with the people of Hawaii. They are warm and family oriented and made me feel some of the same comfort that I felt when I was “Home” a sort of familiarity so to speak. This blog will help me to trace the path that I traveled to find my current “Home”.

The area of my life that represents home is cooking. I enjoy every opportunity to cook  for my family and friends. Some of the most fun and interesting meals are sushi, lumpia, and a variety of Asian American dishes. It is not just the food that I enjoy, it is the sounds, smells, and the ultimate satisfaction of cooking. This encourages me to step out and continually explore new foods.