Murder and A Hanging: A Story of Joseph Pike. American Risotto No. 7
I watched too many men lay away conscience in a napkin once they left behind civilization and entered Gold Rush California.
So Many Women: A Story of Franklin Fongson. American Risotto No. 8
In 1947 Franklin Fongson set sail from California to find a wife in China. How would he go about the search?
Favorite Film: “American Beauty”
Montgomery High's Mark Tompkins sees red in this 1999 film by director Sam Mendes.
A Man Twice Her Age: A Story of Ng Sau Ping. American Risotto No. 10
Sau Ping's father noticed a stranger from America on the streets of Toisan, China. Perhaps this man is seeking a good wife, a woman like his teenage daughter. The next vignette in "American Risotto," the sage of an unusual family.
The Woman Left Behind: A Story of Joseph Pike. American Risotto No. 11
A 49er endures hardship. But what about the woman who stayed at home and held together their family? Joseph Pike, my great-great-grandfather would find out. His wife Sybil went 10 months before receiving a letter from him. He first wrote in September 1850 soon after reaching the gold fields of California. She wrote back in March 1851 to tell him that “there is not a day goes over but what I lament the decision we made when the question was asked, ‘Shall you go?’”
Becoming a Humanitarian Advocate: Kathryn Anderson
Kathryn Anderson went from working as an attorney at a large law firm in South Bend, Indiana to doing advocacy work at the United Nations on issues affecting Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is close to completing her year of service with the Mennonite Voluntary Service and is working with World Vision International's United Nations office.
The Wayward Son: American Risotto No. 12
When our parents objected to our dating relationship, Carol obeyed her folks and agreed not to go out with me. Eventually she and her siblings changed her parents' minds and won permission for her to date me. But I rebelled from my parents. The result was an alienation that cut two ways.
Film Review: “Super”
Cardinal Newman High's Elliott Miller gives "Super" two out of four stars. Read his take on what went right and what went wrong with a film whose premise was "an absolutely brilliant setup for a dark comedy."
Favorite Film: “Pride & Prejudice”
Maria Carrillo High's Kayla Camilli writes about the 2005 film version of a Jane Austen classic.
The film, directed by Joe Wright, stars Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, and Donald Sutherland.
Becoming a Developing World Entrepreneur: Matt Doka
Matt Doka, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, went to Africa to learn firsthand what it takes to become an entrepreneur in the Developing World.
