"As I was growing up, I recall watching a decent amount of television. I also remember noticing that most shows - from Full House to Family Ties - would end in a touching, heart-felt moment between parents and children, siblings or friends. Each party would express their love for the other with a direct "I love you," follwed by the inevitable hug or group hug. In my head, I would initially think 'C'mon! Really?! I mean, who does that?!' But somewhere deep in my heart, I would often wonder, 'Why don't we do that?'" Meat loaf and mashed potatoes by Mina Kurata.
"Since that day, our family has never been the same. We don't seem to see each other as often as we used to. But I notice the bonds among us strengthen as each day goes by. When we laugh, the smiles are brighter. And when tears fall, we hug longer. What holds us together is a kind of endurance that comes from a sense of satisfaction knowing that Mom gave us her all." - A Mother’s Love Cuts Wide, Straight & Deep by Mai Bui.
"She has nothing to worry about, though. Asian men are not seen as desirable. I read a poll in college that surveyed the general perceptions of racial beauty in America. For women, Asians were seen as the most beautiful, followed by Caucasians, Latinas, and then African Americans. For males, that list was flipped around. African Americans were ranked number one, Caucasians were next, then Latinos, and finally Asians." - Marrying Japanese by Koji Sakai.
"As the only Asian heritage American kid in the entire school, I experienced a range of emotions about my lunch, from shame and alienation to gleeful joy at how grossed out people got when I told them I liked the way the cartilage of the pig ears crunched in my mouth." - Super Sandwich by Tina Tsai.
"My trip to Vietnam made me ask myself on a much deeper level, who am I? Where am I meant to settle and live out my purpose in life? But the answer that I received was different than what I had expected." - There's No Place Like Home by Quyen Ngo.
"you say, it’s the rainy season and we are finally getting our share - the small mountains crop up like thorny - ridges on the back of a dragon, visible for hundreds of miles - people buried in mudslides - it seems Sung Yat-sen’s birthplace was a typical village" - letters from overseas to Otto Wirgau by Sandy Tseng.
"Perhaps it’s fair to say on a traditional scale of masculinity, Chinese men come up comparatively short. But I don’t need a guy to hunt boar, plant potatoes, build my house with his bare hands, or fight wars. I need a guy who will be my partner. Be a good father to our kids. Hold my hand, and hug me when I feel sad that I’m living so far away from my family and friends." - Ode to the Chinese Male; and Lady Laowais Can Have Yellow Fever Too by Monica Tan.
"We are all fools in love, and life is an adventure! From birth to adulthood, love will test us, exhume us, entangle us, consume us, and enrapture us. The necessity to love and be loved is a universal and perpetual desire among all human beings on this planet." - Breaking the Cinderella Myth by Panney Wei

Welcome

A Melting Pot of Thoughts is home to writers of all ages and backgrounds where they come together to share their heartwarming tales that will make us laugh, cry, and appreciate the simple things in life. This is also a forum for those who simply look for stories that help reintroduce hope, bring back encouragement, and lift their spirits. As you turn the pages, you’ll find that readers and writers are like dancing partners. They dance to the sweet sound of music created by supporters and friends.

Regardless of the roles you play in this great adventure, we’re all in it together . . . in A Melting Pot of Thoughts.

About Us

Pho for Life: A Melting Pot of Thoughts is a collection of short stories and poems that takes readers on a journey of the many expressions of love, through the lens of Asian and other cultures. Immigrants will grapple with their new identity. Children will reminisce about mom’s homemade cooking. Parents will lose sleep over new generational gaps. Lovers will dance through the cultural lines. Friends will enjoy each other’s company over a tasty meal while discussing the heartaches, the challenges, and joys of life.

No matter where we are in our journey through life, Pho for Life will remind the readers that – in the end – love still conquers all. Its inspiring words will stir passion in their hearts and make their spirits soar.

Gift Pho for Life to a friend!

Miso for Life - Launching 2012

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