International Mahjong Day News Debut: Live TV, Mahjong Tiles, and One Very Full Wagon

When Atlanta News First called to ask if I'd appear on their show for International Mahjong Day, I jumped at the chance. But what makes August 1st extra special? The day marks exactly one year since Atlanta Mahjong Studio officially opened, and there's a whole story behind why I chose that date.

Watch the full segment on Atlanta News First.

The Origin of August 1st

I opened the studio officially on August 1st. So when Atlanta News First invited me to appear on International Mahjong Day, that day happened to be our exact one-year anniversary. ✨

Preparation: Going a Little Overboard

I was thrilled but also terrified. How do you represent an entire game and a whole year of community building in a three-minute TV segment? My answer: bring everything. I loaded up a wagon with tons of things!

I know, I know. Looking back, I was massively overpacked. But in that moment, I wanted options. I thought I'd have time to show them and someone tell me what they wanted.

Behind the Scenes at Atlanta News First

I arrived at the building at 9:30 AM. After checking in, I was escorted to the back ready room. Walking through the newsroom, I spotted Adam Murphy, the guy who does those great restaurant segments and awards the Golden Spatula (I love his segments!), working at a desk surrounded by the morning briefing crew. It was surreal seeing the newsroom in action!

In the ready room, I met the other guests who were appearing that morning. There was this buzzing energy in the air. Everyone excited but also nervous. I felt self-conscious being there with my entire wagon of props and a table, while everyone else had maybe a folder or a small case.

Then before I could even really calm down, suddenly, it was go time. I was first to go! An employee escorted me from the ready room to backstage. "You have three minutes to set everything up," they told me.

Three minutes?

The Three-Minute Chaos

PANIC.

Thankfully, someone from the crew helped me assemble the table quickly. We started laying out the tiles, trying to be as quiet as possible because they were filming live in front of us, which is hard when you are emptying a case of mahjong tiles!

Then came the rush to move everything into position. Forty-five seconds to go. And in that scramble, tiles knocked over and scattered. In the hurry to set up, the tail of the wall ended up on the wrong side.

Showtime with Savannah

My segment host was Savannah Louie, and she was wonderful. Kind, engaged, and genuinely interested in what I was sharing. (I didn't know it at the time, but she is the Survivor Season 49 Winner, too!) We had a chance to chat before going on air and warm up together. That helped ease some of the nervousness.

Then we were live, and it all happened so fast. 💨

I'd been given a list of questions beforehand, but in the moment, I felt like I was only asked one of them. The rest of my answers were pure improvisation, and there was no dead air to think things through. I was unsure of myself the entire time. I felt like I was drowning and stumbling over words.

In hindsight, I wish I'd had more presence. I wish I'd shown off a winning hand. I wish I'd spread the tiles out more on the table so people could see the beautiful artwork on the tiles. I wish I'd swiped that hair out of my face!

I left the building feeling a bit deflated, replaying everything and thinking about all the ways I could've done better. I was so dejected, I didn't even want to ask if I could meet Adam Murphy!

And Then I Talked to My Husband

My husband, my biggest supporter, texted me before I even got in the car and said "OMG you KILLED IT!" quickly followed by "You did great. Couldn't have done better - was perfect. Perfecto!"

He reminded me that I showed up for something I really care about and am happy to share with the world. Nerves and imperfection are part of being human, but I was able to articulate answers (even if it didn't feel like the best way) and share mahjong and the studio in a way that I haven't before.

And he was right. I should look back on this as a happy thing instead of something I could have done better. 💖

What This Year Really Means

As I think about the news segment and this whole past year, I realize that I've been a small business owner for a full year now. Which sounds wild. There's been so much I've learned, so much I'm still learning. So much I still feel like I can improve!

But the most rewarding part? It's not the TV appearance or the growth of the studio. It's the people. It's discovering how many people love mahjong just like I do. It's the friendships I've made, the students I've taught, the community that's gathered around this space.

When I opened Atlanta Mahjong Studio, my goal wasn't to be on the news or to build some empire. It was to create a place where people could gather, learn, and feel connected to something that mattered. It was to honor my Lola Luz and her love for this game. It was to build community. It was to actually have people I could play mahjong with!!!

And that's exactly what happened.

So yeah, I was probably not the smoothest TV guest ever. But I showed up. I brought my whole self... literally, in a wagon 🛒 and I shared something I love with a whole city on the local news!

I'm incredibly thankful I got to go on TV. But I'm even more thankful for everyone who has walked through the studio doors this past year. Because you made this not just my journey, but our journey.

Here's to one year of mahjong, community, and the perfect imperfections that make life interesting.

P.S. If you caught the segment and noticed the tail was on the wrong side, I see you, and I'm laughing with you. Do as I say, not as I do. 🎀