5 Things I Learned Watching My Mom's YouTube Cooking Show

Guest Post by Sahra Vang Nguyen



About a year ago, my mom called me and said (in Vietnamese), "I want to make a cooking show for YouTube. I heard there's a lady who's teaching people to make pho using canned chicken broth -- NO!"

I was delighted by my mom's enthusiasm. It was the first time I heard her talk about starting a passion project purely for herself. Growing up, my mom never pursued any hobbies or personal projects. Her entire life was dedicated to providing for her family. Every morning, she woke up early and got the kids ready for school, dropped us off at the bus stop, worked 10-12 hours in the laundromat, ran errands, came home and made dinner, did the dishes, cleaned the house, got the kids ready for bed, watched a little TV, went to sleep, and did it all over again the next day.

Now, with all three kids out of the house, she finally has time to do something for herself. Together, we started my mom's YouTube dreams. I helped film and edit her cooking videos, and she shined naturally and effortlessly on camera. I never saw this side of my mom before -- carefree, charming, a student to the craft of performing. Watching my mom pursue something outside of her comfort zone and embrace the camera with such confidence and courage, I was inspired.

In addition to cutting onions and egg rolling techniques, here are 5 things I learned from watching (and filming) my mom's YouTube cooking show:

Angry Reader of the Week: Sahra Vang Nguyen

"I hope that everyone -- Asian-American or not -- can relate to the theme of doing what you love."


Photo credit: Benjamin To
Hey, folks! It's that time again. It's time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Sahra Vang Nguyen.

New webseries 'Maker's Lane' profiles on NYC entrepreneurs

First five episodes focus on Asian American creative hustlers



More cool content just in time for Heritage Month... Maker's Lane, created by Sahra Vang, is a newly launched web series about entrepreneurs in New York City. Each episode profiles a different creative hustler making it happen. In the DIY digital age, these stories capture the spirit of the American Dream, American Hustle.

The first five episodes, debuting weekly through the month of May, focus on Asian American entrepreneurs. Here's the 90-second trailer:

Kickass poets and performers share the stage at LAPP Fest

A set from the 2013 DC Asian American/Pacific Islander Literary Arts & Performance Poetry Festival.


Last week, poets, literary and spoken word artists, and activists from across the United States convened in Washington DC for the 2013 DC Asian American/Pacific Islander Literary Arts & Performance Poetry Festival, aka "LAPP Fest." From the looks of it, it was an awesome gathering of folks using art for social change.

For folks who couldn't make it to the festival, here's an hour-long video of the LAPP Fest Showcase at The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, featuring artists Gowri K., Adriel Luis, Regie Cabico, Simone Jacobson, Sahra Nguyen, Michelle Myers, Beau Sia and G Yamazawa. Very cool.

I couldn't figure out how to embed the video, so check it out on the Kennedy Center website.