Present Joys Featured Guest: Keegan Fong
This week we welcome Keegan Fong, founder of Woon, to share his present joys with us.
Keegan Fong is the founder of Woon, the Historic Filipinotown mainstay slinging the most delicious, homestyle Chinese comfort food. Everything about Woon feels so wonderfully considered without ever feeling stuffy or over the top. There’s a genuine warmth and care you feel from the food, space, and people of Woon. To quote a recent, happy client of ours–also applicable here re: Woon–“the vibe is right.” Read on to discover Keegan’s recent joys.
Don’t Fade Away
This song by Beach Fossils is old news, but for some reason it’s one of those that still brings me joy no matter what state I’m in. It’s probably the most played song on my Spotify. I’m not sure why I never got sick of it like I usually do with other songs. It feels really nostalgic and reminds me of the days when I was younger and visited my friends in New York, just partying, taking Uber’s around the city and only worrying about what bar we’d go to next. It’s probably because I live such a different life now that I enjoy what it reminds me of. Not that I want to go back to that life, but mainly that I don’t forget where I came from.
Driving around in my van
My daily driver is a 1991 Honda Acty Street. It’s an imported Japanese kei van (or micro van) and it’s a right hand drive, meaning the steering wheel is on the right. It honestly brings me so much joy driving it because I get to see everyone else’s smiles when they zoom by me. I can be in the worst mood one day and I still have to act happy because everyone else is smiling or laughing at me driving a tiny car on the freeway. But to be honest, I got the car because it is pretty representative of what I enjoy. It’s compact, but extremely efficient in terms of how it’s designed and spatially. The back seats fold flat and the back fits more than any other SUV I’ve owned. We use it for Woon events all the time because it fits so much. I added seat belts in the back row just to put my kids’ car seats back there. The back windows roll all the way down and it brings me joy every time I turn around and they’re just smiling ear to ear with the wind blowing in their face.
This Woon logo stained glass
Made by my friends, Ezra and Xien, who go by the name of Wah Glass Studio. Ezra used to work at Woon and recently got married to their partner, Xien. They had their reception at Woon, which was such an honor, so they gifted me this stained glass as a thank you. We hung it up in the dining room and it brings me joy everyday when I walk into the shop. I hope it brings everyone else joy too.
Haribo
My friends were in Illinois recently and sent me this photo of the Haribo headquarters because they know how obsessed I am with Haribo. I’ve been obsessed with Gold Bears since I was a kid. I always half joked around saying that my dream job was to work at Haribo one day. And I honestly think if they were based in California I would be working there. I like to imagine it as the modern day Wonka factory although it’s probably just the opposite with corporate desks and cubicles. I will say they have a really cool Instagram account with the best content, so that was cool to see. Also, I think my number one Haribo gummy has gone from Gold Bears to Twin Snakes in the last few years. I’m salivating just thinking about it actually. I have to stop writing about it omg.
Waking up to change these two’s diapers everyday
I honestly never thought I’d have kids until I was 40. But when I met my wife, Yvette, she was set on having kids sooner than later, and I’m so glad that we did. They are the funniest people I know and everyday I can’t stop laughing because they say and do the funniest shit. I know everyone says that about their own kids, but I truly think my kids are funnier than yours. O yeah, and Ashkii, our Chocolate Lab, snuck in that photo too. He’s cool too, but you know, he got kicked to the bottom of the totem pole once we had kids. Still the best dog though. Love the guy.
A few more joys from Joyce and Michelle...
Bullocks Wilshire Finally had the chance to explore the interiors of the Bullocks Wilshire building by way of their once-annual(💔) open house. Go next year! It’s absolutely worth the visit.
Skin contact mango I hate that I just typed that but the specific part of a mango that’s closest to its skin is so delicious!
Compost hub Was pleased to discover a local compost hub on a recent walk.
In a Villa at the Seaside While on a docent-led tour of the Norton Simon, we were shown this painting. While I didn’t connect with it at first, the docent highlighting how the subjects of the painting (the painter’s sister, Edma and Edma’s daughter) are occupying a “transitional space” between the private family life and the life just down the stairs at the seaside made it intriguing to me. I’ve been thinking about “transitional spaces” ever since.
Staying cool and nostalgic (and healthier) with these, but forever thinking about the sweetness and vibrance of the artificial rainbow.
This quote: “We don’t have to take things so seriously (ourselves, events, and other people). We blow things out of proportion—our feelings, thoughts, actions, and mistakes. We do the same thing with other people’s feelings, thoughts, and actions. We tell ourselves things are awful, terrible, a tragedy, and the end of the world. Many things might be sad, too bad, and unpleasant—but the only thing that’s the end of the world is the end of the world.”
Awesome E-Letter!