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FarrahWun

@farrahwun

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Mahjong for the West Side!
Community-based beginner mahjong classes designed for genuine connection in West LA.
Aggressively inclusive.
Applications:

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My #mahjongmadness escalates into sleepless nights. I’m researching manufacturers. Have I gone over the edge? Or is this simply the natural progression for a #mahjongmaven? Is it simply a reaction to the colonization of a traditionally Chinese generational game designed to build community into a bizarre redesign of commercially-branded “white cultural norms” like golf clubs and caviar costing $350+? I’m no purist when it comes to design, however, I AM aware of good aesthetics & fairly culturally aware…so why not build a custom design in collaboration with Asian-American artists, and showcase modern design sensibilities through an informed lens? Isn’t that what we WANT in 2026?!? #KnowBetterDOBetter

Now…who knows someone who knows a manufacturer I could tap for this project? #asianartists by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

The Chinese Inclusion Act is LIVE!
Follow me there for all things #mahjong, so this can revert to a Hero fan account. If you wanna keep up with the #mahjongmavericks follow me @thechineseinclusionact!

Why the name? Because in the 1920s, mahjong was brought to the United States, and much like the 2020s, it exploded in popularity, creating private parlors and exclusive clubs and an entire culture celebrating “orientalism” ideals at a time when anti-Chinese violence was on the rise, and the US government was actively deporting, and preventing the immigration of Chinese people- the first targeted anti-immigration laws for this country that continue to serve as the current foundation for US immigration laws.

I’ve always said that the foundational goal of the Mahjong Mavericks is to build community through an aggressively inclusive approach to mahjong. Mahjong has created community for more than two centuries. It unites people from different generations, cultures, and countries, and always has. I’m proud to joyfully provide access to this historically significant cultural experience, and continue that tradition of community building and connection. I hope you’ll join me.

#mahjonglessons #mahjongteacher by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

Who do we know working in Playa Vista?!?
Do you know someone who knows someone at Honest or Google or TikTok or YouTube or Fooda…or any of those offices by the Playa/Runway area?!? They’ve got a space with 4-person tables PERFECT for mahjong- and they’re totally empty on weekends! How amazing would it be to hire the chefs partnered with @gofooda to cater our mahjong mornings? Or invite the people of @honest & @tiktok to mingle after work on Friday through a friendly mahjong lesson? Can’t you just see @youtubecreators & @google facing off on a mahjong tournament? How fun would this be?!?

So let’s make it happen. I know there’s gotta be someone who knows someone in those Playa offices- put us in touch & let’s make some fun & community happen!!!

#mahjongevents #mahjongmavericks #mahjonglessons #buildingcommunity by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

Where do you show up consistently with other people? You may say you crave community, but community requires consistency. It requires a level of familiarity. It requires showing up & sharing a part of yourself. Relationships aren’t built overnight. Friendships don’t grow because you met once. Having a reason to show up, week after week, a space with no pressure to allow for organic conversation and natural discovery, creating a space where you can learn and grow together and experience something new- all of these elements create the recipe for building a successful community built on genuine connection! Mahjong has been creating that space for centuries!

Last night was only our second time meeting up. People are coming out of their shells. There are follow up questions. We discover at least 3 of us have killer cookie recipes… “should we have a bake-off?” A couple of us are going to the mahjong event @hammer_museum… “who lives by me? Can we carpool?” We’re opening up more space to practice outside of class… “are you going? Do you want to practice with me on Wednesday?”

The space is there. The invitation is open. You bring yourself and offer who you are. That’s not an event. That’s building community.

#mahjong #mahjonglessons #mahjongmavericks #buildingcommunity by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

Took a little trip to #Chinatown!
I had a vision for maximum cuteness at my mahjong tables, while also honoring ACTUAL Chinese traditions! I’m fixing two issues- dice getting misplaced, and keeping a reminder for the East player to remember they have control of the deal (unless they lose, in which case, South will chow from their left). Cute AND practical?!? My favorite things!

#mahjongtable #mahjongaccessories #mahjongdiceholder #mahjonglessons by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

Gathering has always been good for our heath. It feeds the soul, allows room for depth in relationships, building the trust & support necessary as a foundation for community, and reminds us that our humanity is more than good- we are joyful!

Mahjong has been bringing people together across generations, cultures, and creates community everywhere it’s played. There are so many reasons mahjong has endured and remains so special, and while downtown LA has so many opportunities to play, I’m thrilled to be making it more accessible to my neighbors living here on the West Side!

Cheers to the hilarious, thoughtful, dynamic members of the #MahjongMavericks! Thank you for trusting in me, for your support, and for creating this community with me! Thank you for an AMAZING first week!

#mahjong #mahjonglessons #mahjongmadness #buildingcommunity by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

When you’re choosing who you surround yourself with, it’s one of the greatest assurances you’ll be in a supportive, successful community. Being able to say I hand-selected all 28 founding members of the #MahjongMavericks (after trading messages with more than 400, and filtering through 100 applications to match them) makes me so confident that I could put any number of our members in a room & they would make magic. We are full of world travelers, adventurers, ambitious women, and hilarious personalities- and I’m SO excited to build this community together with them!

#mahjong #mahjongcommunity #mahjonglessons #buildingcommunity by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

Wanna see a new #mahjongtablescape?
Mahjong is the ultimate for #maximalistdecor enthusiasts! The tiles! The art! The mats! Mixing alll the various elements to create a beautiful tablescape that feels fresh and fun every time! While I know we’re on an avalanche ride down the hyper-consumerist habit of accumulating more for the sake of chasing every new thing, I always refer to myself as a minimal maximalist. Because I’m teaching several tables at a time, I feel justified in buying more sets/mats, etc. And by taking into consideration what will mix & match well, that means I can make multiple new tablescapes using all the same pieces. And while consumerism IS an issue, I feel good about consuming mindfully and intentionally, with tiles that are colorful and cute, have easy-to-distinguish colors to help beginners, and use designs that still make sense and retain the meaningfulness of the symbolism of traditional tiles.

#mahjongunboxing #mahjongmat #mahjongmaximalist by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

If the average costs of American mahjong are:
$55-125 to play
$800-1000 for an instructor
$300-500 for American tile sets/$200 for “cheap ones”
$85-150 for mats/$45 for “cheap ones”
$100-150 for racks/$50 for “cheap ones”
$60 for 4 NMJL cards

And traditional Chinese mahjong costs are typically:
$10-20 for open play
Tiles $60
Mats $30 (optional)

Tables w folding chairs: $90-150
Drinks/snacks: varies

So I’m curious why people think it’s appropriate to tell me I should be providing this service for free. And reminder- when I spent 2 months offering to teach for free, it was 2 months of last minute cancellations, scheduling issues, and almost no actual mahjong.

To my knowledge, no one else is providing the instruction level I do- there’s offers for light instruction as an intro on how to play, but no discussion of the history, cultural impact and significance within Asian and Jewish communities, symbolism, Chinese-based values strategy & psychology, etc. Nor have I heard of anyone anywhere hand-matching tables based on common interests with a focus on community-building and personal connection. So why am I getting lectured on how, because it’s a family game, I should be teaching for free? What about the community I’M creating suggests I can afford to spend hours of my life and thousands of dollars on behalf of strangers…for free?

#communitybuilding #villagers #mahjonglessons #servingcommunity by @farrahwun

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3 months ago

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY UNREAL FIRST NIGHT!
Building true community is not showing up once to a huge event. It is mindful, intentional, and requires time and consistency. In a world that is shoving AI & algorithms & screen addiction down our throats, #mahjong is today’s joyful way of pushing back & reminding ourselves of our desire for true human connection.

Creating the time, space, and consistently with individuals who match your energy & interests- it’s a recipe for success! While my records in the kitchen may be questionable, PEOPLE are my jam! I knew hand-matching players would be an orchestrated ballet of coordination (I’ll post my crash out from yesterday soon), but I also knew it would ABSOLUTELY be worth is, if our goal was to create a TRUE community.

Hearing tonight’s #MahjongMavericks yell, “sik wu!” for the first time, hearing the absolute HOWLS of laughter, stumbling into mutual connections, making plans for LA adventures, and quiet confidences that “I’m so glad I was paired with the people at my table- everyone was so nice;” it’s all confirmation that we are doing the right things.

And a word on #communitybuilding- it goes even further than the hilarious people in the room…to be able to support a local neighborhood venue, especially one owned by the kindest, most generous Palestinian family- it feels like a GIFT to be able to bring people into their space. I can’t wait for our Mavericks to be able to support more locally owned small businesses- the potential for impact keeps reminding me that many hands make light work! We’re only just beginning, and I could not ask for a better start!

#mahjonglessons #mahjongteacher by @farrahwun

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4 months ago

Mahjong Mornings with @hudsongracesf are always a good idea, especially when the experience makes you feel like you’re playing mahjong in a @nmeyers movie. Vibe and linens from @hudsongracesf @peterdunhamdesign … mahjong tiles from @themahjongline … guided play for American Mahjong with Carolyn + for Hong Kong mahjong with @farrahwun … iykyk. See you at the next one! Xx Carolyn taken in Hudson Grace by @farrahwun

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4 months ago

The holy bible, by Nicole Wong @themahjongproject .
Welcome to my new religion.

#mahjongessentials #mahjongmusthaves #mahjong #mahjonglessons by @farrahwun

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