Happy Chinese New Year

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to let in the Year of the Ox with some members of the local Asian community and a group of Chinese students visiting from our Sister City, Jiujiang China. As the adults gathered in the kitchen and left the students to call home and wish their families on the other side of the world a Happy New Year I was warmly welcomed into an enthusiastic dumpling production line. With delicate instruction I was soon on my way producing one dumpling to their three and placed them onto the tray with a slight concern that my novice folding might lead to a dumpling explosion in the pan. The dumplings turned out just right and absolutely delicious - which reminds me, I must get that pork & shrimp filling recipe! I have spent the past two years giving presentations about how Louisville 

is a friendly city and welcoming to immigrants; this past weekend I found myself on the other side of that -being welcomed and completely accepted by both local and visiting internationals, I only hope my home feels as warm and welcoming to guests. The students seemed to have a good time too, tucking into the food and enjoying each others company; it was a lesson that teenagers are the same the world over - giggly, excitable, loud and very hungry.