【53】Toys for Tots @ Guardian Self Storage Warehouse, Liberty Avenue

I grew up in a village in China, didn’t remember I had a toy until started my elementary school in a township where my father  had worked in the past nearly two decades. I remember I only had two toys that I shared with my sister : a pink pig, and a white bear. They both were  small. My sister and I used the pink pig as a pillow for many years.

I didn’t get a chance to ride Merry-go-around until I was in my senior high school year either, and didn’t go to a real amusement park until May 25th of 2013 when Matt treated me a trip to Kennywood along with my brother and sister in-laws’ family as a graduation gift. I don’t intend to complain about those many experience I didn’t have during my upbringing,  in actuality, my grandparent, parents and sister gave me so much great memories that can’t be put on a price tag.

I was just thinking maybe every person has a dream of never growing up and in that dream, there must be a companion position fulfilled by some kind of toys. It might be a stuffed animal, a Smokey Ranger Bear, a Barby, or an Easter Bunny………

When we moved to our new home, my mother-in-law, at the time was still reasonable to be around, gave me a Smokey Ranger Bear from Matt’s childhood. I carried that cute creature around the following several weeks while trying to put things together in this new home. Not until then, I realized that how wonderful for a kid to have toys, a lot of them, growing up.

For this very personal reason, I want to share a wonderful program that is active in Pittsburgh community: +Toys For Tots , made possible by U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Corporate America, Many Donors, and local volunteer organization +Pittsburgh Cares .  Fortunately I was part of Santa’s team in 2013’s Christmas gift give-away event.

Every year, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation would accept toys or cash donations from corporate America, retailing stores, and individual donors from all over the country to prepare a large reserve of toys for the annual give-away events in many cities. Locally in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Cares, is the volunteer managing organization helping with the toys selection, application processing-nonprofit and individual, warehouse management, volunteer recruitment/management, and toys distribution. Marine Corps Reserve soldiers would help and manage a big portion of the application processing, toys inventory and distribution, and entire program management. Starting from early December, those nonprofit applicants start to pick up required gifts for the population they serve in their community, towards the end of the give-away event, there would be 2-3 days open house event for individual applicants to pick up gifts for kids in their family. It’s the open house event that I was part of.

In 2013, the warehouse for the Toys for Tots event was Guardian Self Storage building located on 2839 Liberty Avenue in Strip District of Pittsburgh. It was so very cold in the warehouse and even colder outside on the street, the line of people waiting to pick up gifts was already so long before the door was even open. The majority applicants are African Americans, some White folks, and few internationals. But nevertheless, they are all people who needs this type of help. Who doesn’t once in a while in our lifetime?

The entire Pittsburgh Cares crew--from Executive Director Ms. +Deb Hopkins to us +AmeriCorps VISTA s, along with those many Marines were all pumped to have a tough yet fulfilling day. Somebody even got a chance to be  Elves to deliver the gift from “North Pole” (5th floor of the storage building) to Santa’s warehouse in Pittsburgh (First floor of the building where Santa Marines deliver the toys to parents/grandparents). I guess it is those parents and grandparents who will ultimately be the Santa to sneak the gifts down through the Chimney until they rest under the Christmas tree waiting to be opened by curious Children the very next morning after Christmas Eve….Like they always do.

I absolutely loved the spirits. Many kids were volunteering to run back and forth from North Poles to Santa’s Pittsburgh Warehouse to help those other less privileged kids for the Christmas. I thought this is so wonderful. +Amanda Trocki , the manager of this program on Pittsburgh Cares side for the night, the Business Cares Director of Pittsburgh Cares for the day, lovely person, granted my desire to be at the reception table to check in people. I got to have first-hand experience with those folks. They all seem to have a hell of a life that has something worthy of being told, unfortunately I didn’t get chance to know any of them. Our goal was to check in as many people as we can,  collect some basic demographic data, then move on to the next one. Later on, a Marine offered me to serve as an Elf for a while, and I jumped on it just to experience more. So I started to run from 5th floor to the first floor via elevator of course (Americans prefer taking elevator to climbing stair steps for sure. I thought American Elves must take elevators too when they have an option.) It was fun!

Bike is the most popular gift most people desires. The majority don’t have preference, as they said,”We would appreciate whatever we can have.” . Not having a preference in life may not be a bad thing. But if you read newspaper, those big names in Hollywood always use unpaid interns for many rewarding work as well as many unrewarding menial work such as finding a particular type of candle with the exact desired scent, picking up a particular type of lunch from a particular store, and shopping for a special brand of pillows for editing room so that when they have to stay up late, they won’t kill their back, and etc. Those privileged folks seem to have the most standards and preference in life.  Maybe not having a preference is not necessary a bad thing, but if it is connected to lacking of choices and resources, then it might be BAD, then people may be better off working hard to change the situation.

Anyways, back to the Toys for Tots event. I loved it completely. Amazed by the Pittsburgh Cares morale and the Marine Corps Reserve’s spirits. They are thinking to maybe change a location for the warehouse next year due to the distance between North Pole and Santa’s warehouse, as well as the harsh coldness in the working area all volunteers and applicants have to endure. But I know for sure, that spirits and morale of getting kids toys for Christmas will never change however cold the weather is or wherever they will be checking in folks, distributing lucky numbers, and shouting out those numbers parents/grandparents are hopeful holding to be called upon.

Beer winning trivia @ Toys for Tots

Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major Bill Hendricks who was inspired by his wife Diane when she tried to donate a homemade doll to a needy child but could find no organization to do so. Their efforts were so successful that, in 1948, Toys for Tots was launched as a national campaign. Hendricks used his position as director of Public Relations for Warner Brothers Studio to enlist celebrity support, as well as have Walt Disney Studio design the red toy train logo. Until 1979, Marine reservists and volunteers would collect and refurbish used toys. In 1980, only new toys were accepted, as reservists were no longer able to dedicate drill hours to refurbish toys, as well as legal concerns and the mixed message of giving hand-me-downs as a message of hope. In 1991, the Secretary of Defense authorized the creation and affiliation with the non-profit charity foundation. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve. As of 2013, 469 million toys have been distributed.

ID @ Toys for Tots

Where is Deb in the picture?

【47】Can’t get enough @ Strip District

Let me tell you a story. Just a story, no Yinzerita or beer winning trivia or Investigation Discovery. So just sit back and hear me out.

One the first day of November, I needed to get out of the office in Lawrenceville and head to a graphic design shop in Cultural District to do a final approval on a printing project, just to make sure nothing would go wrong.

It was a lovely sunny day, so I planned amble time for this trip and decided to walk to the shop and walk back to catch a team meeting in the office. It was a 40-minute walk one way and most of the time you find yourself walking through the Strip District. This was actually the first time, I took a walk through this famous neighborhood and had some time to take in what I saw, heard, and smelled. It’s a vibrant market. You see those organic food stands everywhere, old but tasteful and sometime colorful buildings aligning along the streets, professionals working in adjacent areas, like downtown, having their lunches in those delicious restaurants or outdoor food stands, and some visitors from outside of Pittsburgh wandering around and about doing some antique shopping in those family-owned shops. Oh, Frank Sinatra’s music would occasionally escape from some CD stores and flew around the background to bring you back to the old times.

It was a great walk. Yet, that’s not the entire story I want to tell.

One the way back from the Cultural District, I was attempted by the great smell of food in the air. So I decided to spend $5 for a lunch to see if I can get one that is not fast food. As I was thinking that, I passed by a food truck where two people were serving food outside and one lady was working inside of the truck. The gentleman had a big smile and was greeting every of his customers with sincerity and humor. He also had many loyal customers who seemed come to his place quite often, because he would say something like this “I haven’t seen you this summer, where have you been?”

Well, nevertheless, as a daughter of a former restaurant owner, I understand that a happy person often make very good food. So those fried rice and noodles and spring rolls looked so delicious as if they were saying “try me, and you will not regret!” So I spent $5 dollars getting a box of mixed fried noodles and rice plus a spring roll. Not bad. Not bad at all. Maybe I was influenced by the good spirits of this sands and content about the good lunch deal, before I left, I was attempted again to talk to the gentleman.

And I did. From our brief conversation, I learned that he is of Philippine origin, came to Pittsburgh in the 1960s, opened an Asian grocery store and ran it until 1988. Made some money, but the market was changing at that time in Pittsburgh (population outflow) and he wanted to try something new. So he closed the grocery store in 1988 and opened this food truck in 1989. He was happy about the business so the food truck has been around ever since. Since he owns the block the food truck resides on, he has been at the same spot for 24 years. And his name is Robert.

It’s a beautiful story about the resilience of the people living in our City, an inspiring story about the adaptability of International folks thriving in this City while also contributing to its prosperity, and…... there is more…..

As I kept walking while ruminating over Robert’s story in Pittsburgh, a brand new woody stand inside a typical Strip District building caught my attention. Two gentlemen were conversing lightheartedly but I could tell the one in Pittsburgh Penguins hockey shirt was very excited about something new in his life, although he appeared to be calm and in charge. So I couldn’t help but stopping to ask the question “Sir, Are you planning to open a new business here?”  He might be slightly surprised by this question from a complete stranger, but he was kind enough to nod his head and said “Yes. I am”. Then I told him the story of Robert just down the street and wished him good luck.

Isn’t this a great manifestation of life, and our life in and around Pittsburgh? Some people have been around the block for a long time and they can tell you all about history and their experience so we become humble and eager to create our own legacy.  There is also always someone new trying to find their spots, and they can tell you the excitement, the exploration, and the possibilities we face ahead so that we always have something vibrant  to hope for, for ourselves, our family, our neighborhoods, as well as our city.

I can’t never get enough of what I encountered that day in the Strict District. Not after opening to its lively spirits and finding myself completely submitting to its dynamics and beauty, let alone knowing all these stories behind those brick walls and glass windows.

Can you?

⑫Three internationals and our five neighborhoods @ Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Mt. Washington, Strip District, and Sou (th) Side

Unlike what the French is doing to their country’s immigrants, Pittsburgh Homeland Security officers might not “kidnap” kids from school and send them back to where they originated so that kids’ family would have to leave the country. However, there is still consequences if the law would be broken. So the point is that although Pittsburgh is a friendly city, as an international, maintaining a legal immigration status is still instrumental. For this very reason, +Sarosh Fatakia, +Albulena Krasniqi , and I met during an immigration workshop at university of Pittsburgh early 2012. Sarosh is a Scientist from India, Alb, a MBA and CPA candidate, now Ernst & Young employee to be, from Kosovo, and we soon found ourselves have a bond, through which we care for each other and support one another, especially when things didn’t go well as it now sounds to be.

We explored many neighborhoods together to make each other’s day.

Oakland is always a meet up spot, from where we start our precious time together. Squirrel Hill is the place where we dined, window shopped, Sarosh watched a lot movies and got his two pairs of glasses with a super great discount. Mount Washington is the place we had the most fun outdoor yet without spending a penny! The grand view avenue scenery, the panorama of downtown Pittsburgh from the bronze statue, and the Incline are all fun and interesting. Plus burning some healthy energy through walking is always a great satisfaction. Then we went Strip District put up some fat back without any hesitation, for those delicious Vietnam food was just irresistible.  Sou (th) Side? Yeah, that’s where I was grabbed again for some bourgeois pastime. This time it’s not for a drink, but for Cheese Factory’s dessert.

Well, it’s nice to treat yourself a piece of delicious cake in a nice environment, once a while, as if you deserve it, it helps to remind you of what you have missed, therefore regain a sense of purpose, however superficial that might be. After all, if we stay in a bathroom without ventilation for too long, we would eventually forget about how stinky it is, we get used to almost everything! But adaptability, like everything else is a double-edge sword......I am just justifying spending money when it's short.....So.... consumption at Cheese Factory is justified.  

Beer winning trivia @Squirrel Hill, Mt. Washington, Strip District, and Sou (th) Side

1. “Squirrel Hill” might be an Native Indian name. Pittsburgh officially divided this neighborhood into two, Squirrel Hill North and Squirrel Hill South. But we people only know one Squirrel Hill. Its original development in 18th century was focused on Mon riverfront. Many famous historical houses were built at that time. Mary Schenley’s grandfather James O’Hara ended up buying the third eldest house in the neighborhood built by Robert Neil at around 1787. Since 1889 Mary Schenley donated a lot property, including land and this house to the city of Pittsburgh, it’s opened for a time for the public. However, by 1969, the condition of the house was very poor that Pittsburgh Historical Landmark Foundation dismantled and rebuilt it. Now the house is only open for tours  in July during the Vintage Grand Prix.

2.  In 19th century, two major things happened that accelerated the overall development of Squirrel Hill neighborhood, the shift of focus from riverfront to the area that’s close to Oakland and Shadyside; and the operation of an electric trolley installed in 1893. The trolley line ran via Forbes Avenue and Murray Avenue to its final destination in Homestead, and was replaced by buses in 1958.

3. In 20th century, the open of Blvd of the Allies in 1927 further advanced the prosperity of Squirrel Hill due to its more convenient transportation to Downtown Pittsburgh. In 1953, Parkway and Squirrel Hill Tunnel opened, which provided easier and quicker access to surrounding neighborhoods. However, Squirrel Hill Tunnel also became many people travelling into Pittsburgh’s nightmare. Why people will subconsciously slow down BEFORE driving through the tunnel?

4. On the 27th of February in the third year of 21st century, a famous Squirrel Hill resident died. His name is Fred Rogers, the host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, a children show, in which any movement on the TV is slow compared to nowadays’ hype active Chi-WA-WA style TV shows or movies.

5. Strip District locates between Lawrenceville and Downtown Pittsburgh hugging the Allegheny River.  This parcel of land was first owned by Mary Schenley's grandfather James O'Hara and George A. Bayard.  In 1814, the pair established the area naming it "Northern Liberties of Pittsburgh."  It was more commonly known as Bayardstown.  In 1837, the area joined the city, becoming Pittsburgh's fifth ward. With its ideal location, the area soon became a thriving industrial center.  Foundries, mills, and factories moved in. One interesting saying about this neighborhood is that “Strip District has had more identities than an undercover agent.” Two blows this neighborhoods suffered in 1930s was St. Patrick’s Day Flood in 1936, and great economic depression around world world war II.

6. From Mount Washington Pittsburgh you see the grand view of man-made civilization and prosperity. From the Mount Washington New Hampshire, you would be in awe to the nature’s creation. Same name, different view, something completely to think about. Isn't it interesting?

7. South Side, local call Sou Side, has the most concentrated liquor licenses in city of Pittsburgh. SouthsideWorks is an open-air retail, office, entertainment, and residential complex located on the South Side of the city of Pittsburgh and just across the Monongahela River from the Pittsburgh Technology Center and the University of Pittsburgh. I watched a movie called Connected there during 2012 St.Patrick’s Day, followed by a group discussion led by two professors at Pitt. It’s a great occasion. I was very much amazed by how green the neighborhood can be in such an early spring gloomy day!

Your ID @ Mt. Washington

What’s the story behind the bronze statue shown in the picture (above)? To be exact what is the conversation, George Washington was having with the Seneca tribe leader Guyasuta, about?

What’s the name of local media featured an article claiming that from this statue, you would have “The Best View in Town”?

⑨Grocery Shopping @ Chinese Market, Strip District

I am not driving yet, so buying groceries from Chinese Market in Strip District and getting it back to Oakland can be challenging. So I don’t go there that much and don’t buy a lot either. However, one of the few times I went there, I bumped into a good friend of mine and her family, especially her cute-as-a-button son, which made the shopping experience much significant than just doing a house chore. This is part of the charm living in Pittsburgh, you can potentially come across friends and acquaintances anywhere you go.

Another reason I would go to the Chinese Market once every a while is to experience that familiarity no words can describe. Just like if you are an American travelling in China, after a while, you would want to have your favourite dessert after dinner (Normally, Chinese don’t serve dessert after dinner, technically we don’t have dessert. Even snacking is considered a childish habit.). Walking around those shelves, reading Chinese characters, watching other Chinese people do their shopping (no bargaining though), fantasizing those delicious dishes my Mum can make out of those raw materials I would not know how to deal with,.....I am not a shopper, but I like to linger around the Chinese Market, like many people wouldn’t leave Macy’s unless it’s time for the store to be closed.

Although I consider myself a self-adopted Pittsburgher, I still misses being in China, being at home, and will never give up the connection to the notion of being a Chinese as well.

Beer winning trivia @ Chinese Market, Strip District

1. For tofu lover, the best place and time to buy fresh tofu is Lotus Food Co, and Saturdays. It’s fresh and cheap. An interesting dish that is made out of tofu is called Stinky tofu. But don’t be fooled by the name. It smelled bad, as if something stinky. But it tastes so good and would give you a sense of guilty pleasure. Personally I don’t know how to make it. But It’s a mouth-watering dish in deed.

Your ID @ Chinese Market, Strip District

Is there other Asian grocery section in Lotus Food Co, other than Chinese goods? How about the Wing Fat Hong (永发行) Oriental Food Market?