The Secret of Cooking

Dear Dad and Mom, I received your letter from the 27th. Chinese New Year is just a few days away, but I almost completely forgot about it! I only realized it was coming up today when I got a New Year’s card from a friend in Beijing. Unfortunately, it's a bit late, so by the time this letter reaches Nanjing, it’ll probably be close to the Lantern Festival. Still, I want to wish the whole family a Happy Chinese New Year! There isn't a trace of a festive atmosphere over here—China must be incredibly lively right now on the other side of the globe. I’ve been in the new apartment for a month and a half now, and everything is going wonderfully. My American roommate is incredibly friendly and actually pretty "Asianized" already. He knows a bit of Japanese, frequently goes to the Chinese video rental store to rent Hong Kong movies, and the living room walls are covered in Hong Kong movie posters. Other people always assume I’m the one who put them up! When I tell them it was actually my roommate, they’re always shocked. The vast majority of his friends are Chinese (mostly Taiwanese and Hongkongers who grew up in the States). He’s also a pretty good cook and has a Chinese-style wok, cleaver, and everything; the food he makes actually smells more flavorful than mine. Having an American roommate definitely helps with my English—it forces you to speak it and actually think in English. I used to catch myself almost blurting out Chinese in front of Americans, but I've gotten much better now. Living with an American hasn't felt awkward or weird at all; it all feels very natural. Maybe it’s because I’m adaptable, or maybe it’s just because he’s already a bit Asian at heart. The rent is on the pricier side, but it’s not like I’m dirt poor or anything—I just have a bit less in savings. Honestly, having a big savings account doesn't really matter to me right now; the only reason I care is because I need to show some money in the bank for when you guys apply for visas to visit me. You must not try to find ways to send me money!! I promise no matter how much I spend, I will never overdraw my account, so please don't worry about that. For me, the credit card is just a convenient way to pay. For instance, when I go to the supermarket, I don't have to carry cash or checks; I just pay with the card, and then the credit card company sends me a monthly statement showing what I owe so I can pay it off all at once with a single check. It's incredibly convenient—basically buy now, pay later. I'm mostly cooking for myself these days, and my skills have improved a lot. It’s a shame you can't taste my cooking! I've discovered that the secret is using plenty of oil and loading up on scallions, ginger, and garlic—it makes everything smell and taste so much better. The apartment kitchen is fully loaded with a microwave, an oven, and a rice cooker, which makes things so easy. The stove runs on electricity rather than gas. Two weeks ago, Texas had a cold snap. Honestly, it was only a few degrees below freezing and the roads were just a little slick, but Americans completely overreacted and closed every school in Austin (including UT) for two days. Because of that, we ended up with a 4-day weekend with no classes, which felt like another winter break. As for how things are going with Yiqun, I know you’re anxious, but worrying won't change anything. It’s not like I don't want a girlfriend. I know the guy is supposed to take the initiative, but I just can't bring myself to force it—something just feels a bit off. I'm sure that's disappointing for you to hear. Personally, I think the only real hope is if she manages to come to UT. Long distance is a terrible thing! I'll wrap things up here. My handwriting is getting uglier by the second—it's practically unbearable to look at! Wishing you a wonderful Chinese New Year! Love, Tong 02/16/96 P.S. My roommate's name is Dave.