What I Really Need Is A Chinese-Style Walmart

Don’t be alarmed.

This is one week’s supply of groceries for two people. Please take note of the two kinds of plastic bags.

When unpacked, the insides look a little like this.

Since starting fulltime work, I’ve had no time to get groceries until the weekend. And because I loathe crowds, I wake up very early on Sundays, ensuring there is no one on the aisles to get in my way, and I stockpile for the week.

Unfortunately, I am NOT helped in my endeavour by the fact that I get Western-type products from Safeway and Asian-type products, including certain meats and seafood, from Uwajimaya.

Because of who I am, where I am and whom I’m with, I get a very mixed set of food. Sure, I need my good instant noodles, sauces, recognizable vegetables and Japanese confectionery from the Asian supermarket, but I also need to get the juices, cheeses, deli meats, cornflakes and the occasional tortilla for Jay.

The selection and availability of items are very specific at each store, so my Sundays have turned into a race against the clock.

Depending on which store I go to first, I get what I want and head to the second store, by which time I’m stressed and trying to finish shopping quickly so nothing is melting/spoiling/growing bacteria in my Beetle’s boot.

Inevitably, I always forget something at the second store.

In a perfect world, there would be a single store catering to Asians living in America (who may or may not be married to an American), and who may or may not be indulging in cheese once in a while.

And don’t get me started on toilet paper—which I don’t get from either store.