Fresh Off the Bluff

Before real relationships, there were TV crushes, Tuxedo Mask standards, compatibility tests, and one very romantic box of chocolates that had already been half eaten. In Part 1 of their crushes conversation, Janice and Suzanne look back at the awkward, funny, and quietly formative ways they learned about love, from cartoons, TVB, boy bands, school crushes, and the complete lack of “the talk” at home. It’s expectations vs. reality in full 90s/Y2K form: childhood butterflies, confusing signals, big feelings, and the slow realization that love was probably supposed to feel less like guessing and more like being seen.

In this episode, Janice and Suzanne unpack the holiday food divide that says way more about growing up Chinese-Canadian than it probably should: Janice just wanted turkey, Suzanne’s family was firmly team hot pot, and somehow both of them ended up carrying whole childhood identities through what showed up on the table. From Lunar New Year traditions and Chinatown memories to soggy sandwiches, fish eyes at school, and the awkwardness of explaining your food and culture to classmates who didn’t quite get it, this conversation is funny, nostalgic, and surprisingly tender.It’s an episode about the meals we loved, the lunches we hid, and the traditions that still feel worth passing on.Timestamps 00:05 – Welcome back to Episode 2 00:22 – Turkey vs. hot pot: the holiday food debate begins 04:15 – Lunar New Year dishes and favourite feast foods 07:05 – Chinatown memories, night markets, performances, and lucky candy 12:14 – Traditions today, sad Christmas dinner, and serious turkey leftovers 15:37 – Dry ham sandwiches, soggy lunches, and the school lunch struggle 18:49 – Salted fish, fish eyes, and lunchbox culture shock 25:13 – What school did (or didn’t) make space for 31:32 – Passing on traditions, hot pot, and watching your eyes

In this episode, Janice and Suzanne reflect on their childhood growing up in Squamish, British Columbia, and share memories of small-town life, family traditions, cultural identity, and the experiences that shaped them as first-generation Asian Canadian kids. From wandering around neighborhood creeks and parks to helping at family businesses and navigating life as one of the only Asian families in town, the conversation is filled with humor, nostalgia, and heartfelt stories about growing up in the 90s.Timestamps 00:01 – Welcome to the podcast and why Janice & Suzanne started the show 01:23 – Growing up in Squamish and memories of different neighborhoods 05:10 – Creek adventures, backyard playtime, and classic small-town childhood memories 07:00 – Playing around town, family restaurants, and growing up with independence 10:10 – Parents working constantly and helping out in the family business 12:04 – Being some of the only Asian kids in school and experiences with identity and bullying 18:07 – Strict Asian teachers, school stories, and childhood discipline 21:37 – Taekwondo, piano lessons, Chinese school, and extracurricular activities 26:50 – Childhood memories they would relive again and reflections on home