Good Will Hunting - the search for the best udon in town

It is Friday night and I have just completed setting up this blogsite with adsense (i need a little moola to supplement my shortened hours), which adsense cancelled my account for an alleged irregular clicks.

Anyway, I love the movie, "Good Will Hunting", have you seen it? It has levels in its plot, that of a a very smart, almost genius young man, continue to work in construction because that is what he knows, his firiends who love him not because of his intellect but because of him.

Then there were those supporters who wanted him live the life that they were unable to or those who just want to exploit his intelligence and those who really cared.

There are always two sides to a coin, huh! One can't say, it is wrong without looking at the reasons why  as things are viewed from different lenses.  It's like what Pope B is saying, if there are a million people  in this world, there are a million ways of exercising one's faith.

Image from Timtim.com

It's also like choosing a restaurant, do we base it on the decor, the write up about the chef, or the experience of early diners? Some would even choose a restaurant because it is the latest buzz, or some wouldn't want to voice their opinions against that latest buzz.  Wait, does this sound like constructive thinking?

Speaking of opinions, I have been to the Coach Sushi several times and have enjoyed morsels of sushi and bowls of udon. Udon is a favorite, I make it at home and still have it outside, and I must say that I was disappointed with the Coach Sushi's Udon.

Udon that I made


The udon that I make has dark broth, has bonito sauce and a little mirin cooking wine.  I know, I know, this is a mainstay in my kitchen, just like fish sauce, and soy sauce.  I noticed in the picture menu that the soup was a little light, I asked if I can taste the broth, and was told that they prepare the broth only when there is a order for it.

It is rather disappointing, if it is prepared ás it is ordered, how can the soup be flavorful, does that mean that they are using the udon packets, that is available in the supermarkets.  I hope not, that is cheating.  The tempura taste of rancid oil, it just must not be a good day for the restaurant. I hope it is just one of those days and not a norm.

On another note the udon at the Ichiban has the same blandness, hence the severed relations with them. I only cave in when I don't have diet coke at home, then I would resort to food delivery for that coveted commodity..

Anyway, my quest for good udon is on. Suggestions, anyone? More on noodles in the next posts.

The Power to Think

I have a host of drafts, drafts of ideas, thougthts, materials that mesmerized me into creating something that I felt worth posting at that time. It all stems from our power to think, make our thoughts soar to an infinite flow of ideas of interpretations, an endless realization of this tremendous gift from God.




Image from spiritwest.com

 Inded, if we don't have that power to think, have our imaginations run wild, we will be eating nothing colorful. I for one will not appreciate the texture, the flavors and the different colors of food. We will be like robots, that don't think and not do anything pleasant. Wait, robots are created by humans if humans didn't think therefore we will not have robots.

It is amazing isn't it that the capability to think is taken for granted and yet without our sense of being will be gone. I wonder if our sense for God will be there.

GTG: Honorary member, the honor of belonging

Jaime Fox on Robert Downey, Jr.,  "you are an honorary black man, because you have been in jail twice".  Statement by a black man to a white man, without offending any sensibilites, becaase it was said a black man on a black subject.

The same thing was mentioned at a dinner party I attended some weeks back, there was a Chinese guy, who has a PhD in Chemistry, not that it mattered, but he will say something negative about the Chinese culture, followed by a clarificatory remark that he is Chinese, therefore he can say it.

It was a lovely dinner that one, hosted by a friend, it was the first time that I went, she has been inviting me ever since I met her, it was always in conflict with another event or there is no means to get there. This time another friend is going so that was kewl.

It was an interesting mix and so conversation flowed from smoking pot, sex and the stand of the pope on condoms. tesla cars, trips, etc. because of the different background opinions also differs. Some of the remarks:

I was not Catholic but I studied in Catholic schools, so I guess it was okay, by my parents too, to convert me, although they weren't successful. I lived in Italy, even the Italians don't take it that seriously.

Can't stay in Turkey for more than a week, if you like pork, you will start to miss it.

Everything that we say or do is a sin and we are going to go to hell.

There were at least 2 people from different cultures and who have not smoked pot their whole lives. They don't find a reason to.

The sad thing about the media is when they highlight certain issues, for example the comment of the Pope about the use of condoms. They stopped listening after that, they didn't hear the qualifying statement that a prostitute who uses condoms so as not to spread disease is showing remorse and cautions for the exercise of profession and is therefore exercising a Christian conscience. But still the use of condom by a husband and wife as not being accepted in church still holds.

It seems that smoking pot is not gauged by a person's intelligence but rather how content he is with his life, Lordy has to factor in on this right? For where do you gain your contentment and the natural joys of life but from him.

I find that people have their own convictions, whether it is just based on hearsay, well thought of, or plain belief in the truth, and to dissuade them will be a lost cause. Rather to plant the seed of new ideas or to show the benefits and joys reaped from my belief is something worthwhile to do. Respect for others is a virtue stemming from God's desire for us to show compassion and love for one other no matter what circumstance they may have.

Have you hear of the new Tesla cars, these are the new electric cars, manufactured in the Palo Alto and will now be manufactured in the old Nummi plant, efficient production, marketed and sold inhouse. There will be not dealership. A different model altogether but looks promising, they have a waiting list for their 100K priced cars and later they will start to manufacture and sell affordable sedans.

Have not seen these but I heard there were 3 cars, Saturn included, different manufacturers, same size, shape just different logo, now that's making fun of the consumers.

Thanks Mari for such a wonderful dinner, and if you like it, feel free to share your recipe for pinacolada and the other wonderful food that you served.

Note: GTG is get together not got to go, a misnomer wouldn't you say so?

Living Simply

St. Claire, poverty of the soul, living simply, possessed by Jesus...



I am Catholic, you know that, I believe and study the lives of saints. St. Claire is one that I admire, she chose to live simply, so that she will not be distracted and so she can devote her life to Jesus. Sometimes, I have to check myself about my love for the process of preparing food, that I may be remiss, and get too hang up on it. Just as Dave Lettermen mentioned in his tv show, clip above, we are not contented with just one food channel, there has to be a second food channel. Notice how there are restaurants upon restaurants trying to outdo each other as being the best, trying to satisfy that need to be the first to experience, to taste.  So, if I look at that desire deeper, do I see pride?

Ah, we just can't escape from those deadly sins, always tempting us to be distracted from Lordy. So, if I get into too much food entries or restaurant reviews will you remind me about it? I do get carried away sometimes. :)

There has to be purpose and meaning to what I do, not just being able to goble up food and stuff my face ha ha..

Thoughtful Recipe - Forgiveness: Bean soup or casserole

When a blog idea comes to me I put it on a draft and update it when the occurence comes. In this case, I had a draft dated August 2005, a long way but I am sure you will find it interesting enough. 

Forgiveness is such a big word, but what is it really? When do we actually say, we forgive? Then, I had all the ideas about forgiveness. There is forgiveness, when we are able to think of a person whom we feel have offended us without culling any negative emotions. When the feeling of resentment of anger leave our hearts and the need to extract punishment, recrimination, or restitution for a perceived wrong or offense.

A lot of things are riding in this forgiveness.  There has to be anger, pride, jealousy, and other negative feelings that can weigh us down.  Therfore, I will classify it under the darkenss category.  I am now reminded of "the Lord's Prayer", forgive us of our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespas against us, and lead us not into temptation xxx.

The sad thing is, sometimes we harbor anger and demand restittution, when the offender does not even know that they have offended us.  Just imagine that burden that the offendee is carrying, for nothing, you know that to carry such a load is destructing and makes us lose our perspective of being with Lordy.

Think about it, I propose that we get rid of all this feelings and open our arms to prepare for advent, embrace the birth of our Lord Jesus.

What a comfortable feeling to be rid of that heavy load and live life in a fully present manner. As a start, I would like to offer a recipe, comfortable for this season, this weather, and just filling in an inexepensive way.

Ingredients:

     1  bag of dried beans (soaked in water overnight)
     1  medium sized onions
     1 smoked ham hocks
     1 heart of celery (hh)
     1 carrots
     1/2 bag green peas
     1 can tomato sauce
     basil
     salt and pepper

Optional ingredients

   garlic powder
   shredded cheese
   creme fraiche or sour cream

Tools/Utensils

   slow cooker/crockpot
   Stainless Slotted Spoon 
   Mandoline Slicer

Directions

Wash the ham hocks and trim of impurities (left over hairs, etc) then place in crock pot covered with enough water. Leave on medium, the instructions will sometimes say for 3 hours, but I like to leave it on so that favors will be infused in the soup.  You can already add, some celery and carrots to add flavor.  When the ham hocks are tender and the bones can be separated from the meat, actually the meat should be almost part of the soup.  Scoop everything from the pot, remove bones from the hh and cut or shred the separated meat into bite size pieces.  If you put vegetables into the soup, you can run it through a sieve so that the juice is extracted, put the juice back in the pot.  You can also run the soup in the sieve so that you will get a clean soup. Put in onions, tomato sauce, garlic powder (optional), drained soaked-beans, start building your flavors, continue to cook until tender, put in other vegetables.

Season to taste. Serve topped with grated cheese, creme fraiche or sour cream. You can also add chopped green or regular onions. Toasted baguette or warm flour tortilla is a good accompaniment.

I'm imagining that because this is so rich, it will go well with a pino noir or a chianti.. alright it is also best enjoyed with a Diet Coke, you need to burp it out ha ha..

Notes: 

A package of ham hocks will yield more than what you need for the soup (too much, as anything else will remove the balance.) once you have boiled, deboned, and shredded the meat, you can freeze half for future use.

After adding all the ingredients you can determine if you need to add more water. The starch from the beans and other vegetables will add a thickening agent.

Thoughtful recipes: Saturday fritata and blueberry muffins

Saturday was the last day of our Bible Study for the year, it has evolved a great many times.  Now, people are moving on, a friend and I decided to stick to it, since we have declared every other Saturday, as time reserved for that purpose and to hang out, discover new restaurants, scour through repurpose items, look for interesting craft items, pray, and adore Him. It has bee 5 years for me, to others more. It has seen happier moments, of babies, marriages, of someone's passing, the breakdown of marriages, travels, life - trials and tribulations.

I was finishing making breakfast, in between talking about old age, personal summers, and the requirements for a successful aging, personality. Which I beg to differ, personality is the result of environment and its influences, even chemical imbalance in the brain, whereas character breeds from the soul.

A podcasted HBR interview on the Starbucks turnaround from the brink of destruction to a continuing growth, touched on social construction and social constructivism. If I remember correctly, this was a 1976 sociology theory. Social construction, it seems is a response to certain scenarios. Clearly, a response to external reaction,  or the general precepts, that unconsciously forms our opinions. Is it cultural? It is not too individualistic because it is being formed from what is obvious.  This is of course, different from the infantile attitude where one is bereft of rational or logical way of thinking. Rather. the thinking process is centered on emotions, which when examined closely is more of the id.  An unChristian way to do, or the Michavellian way where it is not just the attention that is sought but how they will benefit though fair means or foul. For some reason, CS Lewis"' Mere Christianity, came to mind. Where he said, if kindness is not inherent in you, that means you have have not earned the virtue, it is okay to preted to be kind, as it will grow into you, virtousness will come. Is it virtousness or virtousity?

Whooow, I am digressing, I was going to share with you, what I served during this breakfast. Honestly, I was going to suggest to just meet at a diner, but L was rather rushed during her turn, and I felt I need to return the compliment. :)

Cooking is such a joy for me, it is also while cooking that I formulate all this ideas, the beginning of a social construction :).

Anyway, the blueberry muffin was from James McNair's Breakfast, except that I thought I had maple syrup, alas! I threw it away, there was maple sugar which I can't find.  It turned out a little light, which is good. It didn't contribute to the grief of my arteries.

Here's the recipe:

Then I made fritata, like most of the items that I create is dependent on what is in the fridge, so for this:

Ingredients:

olive oil to saute

half a head of onion cubed

zuchini, cut in cubesbaby spinach (i like to cut the stems - this is an optional step)

4 eggs
milk or water as a softening agent for eggs
basil, optional
pepper and salt
cheese (can be cubed or grated) (I can't find my cheese grater so I used the
citrus zester, it worked.

Preheaat oven in 250 or don't turn off your oven after you have removed your muffins, in a medium-sized pan, heat olive oil, then caramelized the onions, followed by the zuchini, sprinkle a little salt (not sure it if changes the water content of the zuchini, once it is wilted, add the spinach. While this is cooking, in a mixing bowl beat the eggs with the milk, add a little salt and pepper. Once the spinach is wilted, but not totally cooked, pour in the egg, fold a little so that the egg mixture will sit at the bottom of the pan. At this time, you want the fire to be on low or medium, once the egg has settled or firmed a little, top with cheese, finish  cooking in the oven, broiled but very slow and should be in the middle position. You are only cooking the top and melting the cheese without burning. Serve on pan, can be served with creme fraiche or sour cream. Side of bacon, fresh fruit for dessert, which I forgot to serve.

I like to make meals where there is versatility and flexibiity of ingredients, that I am not tied to one method and limited to certain ingredients.  There is no creation in the process but rather the implementation or the execution of someone else's creation.

Wait, that is just 3 hours or so of my Saturday, there is more gastronomic activities done during the weekend.

Enjoy!



Spears of Pears

Do you sometimes feel that your heart is being pierced by spears of words that you don't even deserve? Yeah, I notice that the world is turning into an arrogant dwellers. They feel that they are the only children of God, there is no more compassion, no love for others, I can only feel for those who have no capability of taking care of themselves.

It is rather crass, to just address a person so bluntly just to prove that they are better individuals. But the truth of the matter is they are proving themselves to be uncouth and therefore lower than the stature that they are trying to put themselves into. Ah life..

And so to protect myself from such piercings I feel I don't have to protect myself and rather allow them, spears to shame themselves, what I do is enjoy some spears of pears as pictured below. Ha ha was that trying too hard to connect the pears from the difficulty of one's existence? I hope not distastefully, but I know you see what I mean.

I like pears when they are chilled and crunchy, a healthy way to chase the blues away. The sweetness of this one at least, certainly changes one's disposition.

One further trick to enjoyment is to present it on a better plate, make it like you are presenting it for someone else. Not just much it with big bites knowing noone's looking.

Of Grief and Lamentations

Saturday, I was catching up with movies from Netflix, a lot of soppy romance movies, I'm telling you. A good excuse not to do laundry. It was almost mid-day when I woke up, so I tossed the idea of running errands, and a walk around the lake to burn off the gained calories during the week.

In the middle of the Dear John movie, a friend called, asking me to accompany her to purchase an iphone 4. So off we went, me wanting to trade my old iphone, there was a deal going on at AT&T buy two accessories, get one free.

We left the store happy, then off to dinner, I sugested Long Life in Piedmont, an inexpensive Japanese restaurant, but alas, it has closed. I didn't even notice, it was Miechelle's find, it has been a favorite, which turned out to be our once a month place, until she passed.

So we landed at Holly's Mandarin Kitchen, the food was great, service was perfect and the food presentation was wonderful. There's nothing to elaborate on the food, these are comfort foods, familiar, flavors that does not surprise or assault the senses, perfect for a cool evening to update with friends.



Seafood combo, steamed and dipped in soy sauce with lemon



Mongolian beef, not spicy

For dessert, it was fried banana with coconut ice cream with a side of grapes

Drink of choice: Diet Coke

Holly's Mandarin
(510) 652-9678
4080 Piedmont Ave

Oakland, CA 94611

While she was happy with her accomplishments, she was able to buy a brand new car with a five thousand dollar deposit, got her new iphone, and was able to purchase land, vehicles for the business, and is building a house in the Philippines, she is almost giddy that she felt like she has arrived. Of course she credits Lordy for all this, but why are some people not happy with what she has. There is an apparent jealosy, of envy.. hmmmm I griped that if only there is no jealosy, the world will be happy place to live in.  To which she readily responded, öf course, or Satan will have nothing else to do".

True, life is indeed a plate of Chinese noodles, too plain without the sauce, the sauce provides the flavors, melded otherwise it will not be palatable.

Today's Special: The Movie

I saw this at the Albany theater a week or so ago, I totally enjoyed it.  I am not one to look at the personalities in the movie, like who directed, etc. but the lines are fresh.  There was a scene when the main was arguing with his dad and he muttered, "Jesus", this was a scene where he was being thought how to pray, and the Dad character said,"not that".  Or the cab driver who gave his business card with just his name on it.

The story line is good, acting could have been better. But the display of colors of food, even the bazaars, it was amazing.

Monday..the Weekend is Over..

Image linked to nomad4ever.com (permission pending)

Yup, it is Monday and I am not ready yet.  I have yet to clean the kitchen and do the laundry.  Really having a washing machine and drier does not really mean they are automatic as it requires human intervention still.

The past two weekends has been busy, I was on a film for a graduate student thesis, read the Second Reading, hosted a movie night, what else, I know I did more than that. Then there was thanksgiving and a lot of movies to watch.

I know, I am not going to be an actress, it is not an enjoyable trade, I thnk I will enjoy being part of a movie,if I will be in the planning or in charge of logistics and similar activities.  More on the management part.  Not all is lost in that activity, I met a lot of wonderful people aside from being able to help. More details to come..

Chicken Liver pate

We used to raise chicken for our own consumption, so we eat everything as it is all organic. A piece of chicken liver would normally go to a tinola and divided among us. It is also included in chicken/pork adobo to provide additional flavor and act as a thickening agent.

When I was a kid, probably the closest to pate that we had was liver spread or potted meat or liverwurst. Not too much threat of high cholesterol in our diet.  It's funny that when our tastes mature, become sophisticated and are able to afford these lovely dishes, we have to watch out for our numbers ha ha..

So a teaspoon of pate has 26 calories it doesn't seem to have a lot, but i can feel that it is loaded. So rich.. so fflavorful.

I have tagged this recipe from Jacques Pepin in Food and Wine for a while now, when I discovered that for $5.00 bucks I can get a good one from Whole Foods, in moderate portion, not the artery blocking size. Restaurants are using chicken liver more than they do ducks (foie gras) these days. I guess it is more expensive and does not have with the cruelty issues. I know in some states foie gras is banned form being served in restaurants because of the inhumane way that the ducks are raised to get a fatter liver.

Chicken liver is different though in the sense that it is being harvested from the chickens that we purchased in the market. No chicken is specially bred for this purpose.

But this is the easiest to prepare, from this recipe. I added a little chopped pecan nut for the texture, it turned out pretty good. Next time, I will probably make it a little courser than it is now. I used a tub of chicken liver, instead of what's in the recipe and only 1 and a quarter unsalted sticks of butter.

Best served with toasted baguette and said to be best paired with pinot noir, cabernet, or a frappato wine. The frappato I have yet to discover. But I am a merlot drinker or even Bordeaux or Burgundy red with less tanin. Tanin makes me feel that my whole mouth is being sucked of air making food less enjoyable. I am even thinking riesling or something light white, am no expert though, :) so these recommendations does not hold much water.

But enjoy, some get scared easily with things like liver, but this is the most inexpensive dish, easy to prepare, yet so fine tasting.

Cheers,

What do I have to be thankful for?

 I just this in an email today, and I feel had to share because it is so true..



http://www.joyfultoons.com/

I am thankful for you.

Discoveries..

It used to be, having the  upbringing that I had, that there is always a benchmark. A measure for everything and respect is measured by wether one meets that criteria.  As I mataure and get closer to Lordy, understanding His teachings, I discovered that there is no such thing.  That the benchmark is only to determine categories but not to judge or marginalize people.  People are individuals and are humans.. No objectifying required.

It made me understand that people are behaving as a response to their being "them". Like how I was reacting because of how I was brought up, until I realized that there is another way. That made it better more livable, otherwise I would have lived in a glass jar and the walls are getting closer and closer, a boring existence. It is wonderful to discover then how a person reacts, thinks, what brings them joy and ponder on it.

Image from: http://www.hivangiang.org/

The same goes for food, while there are constants like, ginger and garlic does not seem to go well together,  but if you make a mistake, perhaps a little sugar or more onions will do the trick. Or following a recipe to the letter, if a good one will make a good dish to serve to guest, but where is the excitement there.  Discovering what flavors meld well would be my preferred method. The joy is in the discovery, not of what others have done but what your tastebuds is telling you. Spitting it out and hastily throwing things out is acceptable.

That's how I cook, how I deal with life, why I am enjoying little discoveries, and if things don't turn out right, I can spit it out :).

I was touched by Midas...

Turned me into a golden girl.. yup that was last year, then I was thinking of making a grand entrance in the grown up world.. Sort of like a debutant,  being presented to the society.. a coming out party.. In my case, it would have been something like err.. future wheelchair client or depend user..ha ah.. Does that sound pathetic.. no I am a realist, kinda enjoying it...

Anyway, so I was thinking of having a big bash, but in this economy, it didn't seem right and self-focus does not really fall right into the Christian doctrines that I am trying to practice.

Aging, in today's world seems to be equated with the what ifs, should haves and not an inner peace or conentment, which is the source of real happiness.  But how can I say, that I am old I can't be the president of some company or the country when that is not the direction that I am heading. Or being a nerosurgeon, when I am even a receptionist at a clinic.  Ha ha, what I really want to be is to be a simple "kusinera" maybe work in a soup kitchen..

Anyway, so when friends ask if I want to celebrate, I politely declined, asking if they can donate instead to a cause that I was supporting at work.  Does that sound a candidate for martyrdom? No, I was discovering the joys of humility, the real one.. the antithesis of pride.  I was beginning to discover that underlying evil of pride and I can tell you, it is not pretty.

So, that's the reason for this long silence, plus as life would have it, I have experienced some departures from this world, can't compete with Lordy eh.. a good friend decided that she has had enough in this distressful existence and at a young age left, she would have been married by now.. and to think that we were just talking about her wedding, even to the last details as to the toast, etc. She did offer me the maid-of-honor position, but I know her other friend is more deserving.

My mentor, who taught me about corporate law and to read and read and be aware of developments around me. She came in to work at banker's hour, to give me time to sneak in and she beat me to it. She would give me a ride home, but that didn't come free, I would get lectures on the importance of trust, of credibility of quality of work. 

My DAD, whom I had a trying relationship when I got older and supposedly became wiser. It is when he is gone that I discovered that he was such a great dad, the person that he is.

Another friend, who would have been but is not, a case of two opinionated Economics-trained but not practising professionally can be a detraction.  What with all those pent up ideas about demand and supply, about outsourcing which was not the model during our time.

A good friend from high school, who 30 years after was still a friend.  How we cherished our days of discovering what life was all about, plotting our future not knowing what the variables are, just that we were going to college and that all bets are on.  Who would think that the big C will strike, instead of the future we would talk about hurrying up to see her, as there might not be time.  That we would joke about having cancer is not an excuse to be special, that she is just our special friend, a dear one with our without.

One's passing is not morbid at all, it is a phase to move on, to be with Lordy as we are wont to be. With those passing came new lives, weddings, births, beginnings, discovering Lordy, joining an order.

Ah, yes, I was touched by Midas, I am now golden, in spirit, in my heart, and raring to take on what Lordy would like me to experience.

It is a phase, I don't know how different it is going to be.. so join me for this ride...

A Review of my Blog...

I have always said that I am going to be a writer when I grow up, albeit the lack of comma usage.  These days it is getting stronger that I feel I need to act on it instead of just blabbering about it.  So, I sent a link of my blog to my friend's hubs who is a published print and online writer. He also has more of that goey stuff in between his ears that I was able to pick up some business principles from him, that's for another post. I do appreciate an objective review of my work, otherwise I will just be trudging ahead without any sense at all.  Anyway, expect a rewrite of the reviwed post :). This is what he had to say about my writing:

Thanks for sharing your blog with me. I like it; your thoughts are hard hitting, your prose bebop-like in its rhythm. I do have some suggestions, however, based on the posts I read:

1. Your writing is sometimes a little opaque; it’s hard to know what you’re talking about. Take your Sep 12, 2009 @ 2:02 AM post as an example. I think this is a story about your little brother’s infidelity, but I’m not completely sure. Because I am not anchored in some concrete details (for example, who are the “he” and “she” mentioned in the piece), the abstract thoughts (e.g., “how can rules be laid down and be disregarded, irreverently neglected to follow a darker life?”) lose some of their power. Concrete details make writing come alive. Your Feb 14, 2009 post about the Mexican cab driver is an example of a good mix of concrete details and abstract thoughts.


2. I think your desire to remain anonymous hampers you a bit. For example, in the Aug 24, 2009 post, you tell us about the new café in the ground floor of the building in which you work. However, we can’t try the café or even imagine it because you don’t give us the name. You say that this café is part of a chain, but we don’t know what chain. The omission actually weakens your point about chains taking over in hard economic times. Your Sep 12, 2009 post is another example. You friend was “a witness to a failed test. A test of ruined relationships, battered emotions, her faith in God is intact …”  I don’t know what you mean by “a failed test.” In reading your blog, I feel that I am being teased. Behind the innuendo and missing details, there is a thoughtful and eloquent writer who is all but hidden, afraid to give important details of the lives of herself or those around her.


3. Beware of mixing metaphors: in the same Sep 12, 2009 piece, you begin with “Life is so complex that past and present collide making the future blurry, filled with uncertainty.” “Blurry” implies the future is a picture, but “filled with uncertainty” implies the future is a container, or a room. It would be better to choose one image and stick with it, as in “the past and present collide, covering the future with the dust of uncertainty and clouding one’s vision of it.”

As a reader, I would be interested in seeing how you connect the events the we share in common (like items from the news) to your ideas about life. That gives me a connection with you that I don’t get otherwise.

Keep up the good work. Hope this helps.

Thank you, indeed.

High Tea..

 

Tea, not just the beverage can be referred to as a meal -- dinner in England or an afternoon snack in the US. High tea is a fancier manner of having an afternoon tea with petite fours, tea sandwiches, and all that fancy goodness.  When I was growing up, drinking tea was not really a part of our culture/family, tea was said to provide relief for upset stomach and is said to be good for the complexion.  My mom had these fancy tea cups that you can't hold the handle without your pinky poised up. 

So delicate that it seems more of a ritual than actually appeasing hunger.  Found these old pictures from a High Tea that I went to in Rockridge, can't even remember the place, you will notice that the pictures were not as rich as the newer pictures.  But going back to the high tea, it is actually a good social activity, it somehow forces one to be demure and gentle.

 The picture below was taken from the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, a birthday celebration.  The place is grand with ornate decors, but they don't seem to have high teas anymore.  The petite fours are soo good, I remember it was a pre fixe deal.  A certain amount for limitless tea and an assortment of pastries and tea sandwiches, yum. 

Looks like this tradition is dying, with the present way of life being so busy, there doesn't seem to have time for events like this. Before we forget how it is, I had to have my own version, as I have a little bit of a collection of different tea pots-mostly Asian inspired.  I got the tea sandwiches from Whole Foods--egg and cucumber. Not so great, it was dry, such that the crumbled eggs were not even bound together.  I did love setting this up, this was for someone at work, but I brought in my stuff. It is actually a fun activity.  You can even make your own tea sandwiches and pettite fours. Perfect in this stormy, wet weather. 

  

 

Beautiful Images of the Philippines..

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 Here's food art, before there is such a thing. This event in the Philippines is inspired by a Catholic (note Catholic) saint during the Spanish regime. The website noted that it is by way of Mexico, no wonder there is a similarity in the culture.

Click on the image to get to the photographer's website.  The pictures are awesome, I am inspired.

Enjoy. Note: I did send the photographer an email asking for permission to link to his pix, but it bounced.

In the cube farm

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As I said before, I have been working like crazy these past months, but look at me; I am unwinding with a puter. Despite that it is a little sad, because we had a few folks who left the firm, voluntary and involuntary, and another one who went to Lordy-that’s another post.

So yes, we had a few separations from the firm this month; three left of their own accord-one to work with the competition and the two to set up their consulting firm, the last and the youngest was a victim of this economy. Because he didn’t have that much experience, he didn’t have that expertise to work on other projects in other locations without a mentor.

The first left after almost 20 years of service, he grew up with the firm from one office to another until he landed in the Bay Area and eventually left. He was a little jaded with the way that the office is heading, not realizing that it is reaction to the evolving market. He asked me, what he needs to change about the way he was at work.  Note that technical people have a different way of looking at things; they are pretty driven into getting the results, expecting more grey matter and less of the people-y issues.

Told him that maybe, it is better to relate more to people, compassion, and respect are important, a happy employee, makes a happy worker therefore a better worker. He realized that we do think alike, told him that it is generational ha ha ha.  He was having mixed feelings not wanting to leave, with the idea that he is leaving his family.

The two who were going to set up shop with their names on the letterhead was a little apprehensive and excited about what lies ahead. They were also sorry to leave-when the bossman said, “it’s business as usual and the two week notice is waived”, they didn’t feel so bad after that. I reacted a little negatively, I would have wanted him to be a little gooey, but no he was worried am sure of the revenue, they were 100% billable, ha ha.

Then the last one sits next to me, we review the day’s events was telling him to hang in there, it will get better.  It didn’t, then, he had to go. He can say, “Better to have it happen, early on in my career.”

Oh, there is another one, a satellite in the North Bay closed, the technical folks can telework but the admin staff has to go and she was even working part time.

I am again being reminded that no matter how much we prepare for tomorrow, His will shall prepare. See, you may have a lot of money in the bank at the wrong turn of the economy it will be gone.

Oh gee, I am just babbling here without a point a forced clobut sing.

Collision Zone Part II

A few months back, we figured in a car accident, I have not even completed my insurance claim. The offending car was in a hurry he thought, if he sped up he will make is turn without hitting us. All that to apparently get to a ballgame. We were bruised my friend’s car was totaled, guess it is now with the other clunkers in car heaven.

We were going to a church meeting and I was carrying a cup of diet coke and a box of donuts, the air bag went off and we were bruised, T who was driving got the cool end of it with a sling and something for her finger. L and her friend had to go for chiropractic sessions. My eyeglasses were broken and grazed my skin, bruised from the air bag impact, and bones aiming to dislodge. I didn’t see my life flash before me, so we were okay. Certain that Lordy is always there protecting us.

Anyway, I figured Lordy wanted us to stop the driver from causing a bigger mess on the road. You know what he said, the driver I mean? He said that it’s normal, that’s what insurances are for. How cold is that? I said, he probably didn’t go to church, and a Sunday at that! Isn’t that disturbing?
The bummer was having to wait for too long to get T checked, I didn’t opt for the ER check, went to my doctor instead for a clean bill of health. It was a drag indeed, but we were able to hang out with another friend who is grieving over the loss of her Mom. L’s friend went ahead with her afternoon tap dance performance.

What’s the point in all these? A reminder that we should be grateful for our lives, that we should be content with what we have for it can disappear in a wink. Most of all a testimony to His greatness that he is always there to protect.

Amen?

Collission zone..

Life is so complex that past and present collide making the future blurry, filled with uncertainty. He was bullied as a kid, even as a grown up, for reasons unknown, maybe he is too gentle for his own good. He does not retaliate, he would have been happy hiding behind me, willing for me to fight his battles. He would have been happy with that, content not following a dream, his dreams would be anchored on mine. I left and it shattered everything, it took him a while to recover, to find his bearings, and realized that he has a life to live. I wondered was he too sheltered, we all were, but behind those closeted existence are darkness of infidelity causing pain a deep wrenching of the heart building distrust and agony. I questioned the reason for that, how can rules be laid down and be disregarded, irreverently neglected to follow a darker life. There is always a cause and effect, I used to say, "read, you will find your answers only through discovery." Now, I say, "have you talked to Lordy about it?"

On the one hand, he didn't get as much discipline as the others, he was the baby, the last born. Life was a little better, as a child he would give in tantrums, to fit of anger. I sensed a tendency to hardhandedness. Unlike his gentle brother, he is more head on, less patient. His uncaring ways led to misguided existence -- married or were they? because of a child, a relationship borne out of necessity, presumably to correct a wrong. Such an overlap didn't change anything but rather put them in a quicksand of misery. Frustrated attempts to change put them in deeper pain, something that I don't have a solution for, but to tell Lordy about it. I reckon maybe you need to pray more, it was never meant to be your battle alone. Lordy is with you just listen to what He is saying.

Whoa, life is indeed so complex. Sometimes I'm not sure why they tell me all this, validation? approval? or they want me to tell Lordy for them, like am the right agent or not :). She left her husbad and children to go to a foreign land for a better future for her children. So that they won't have the kind of life that she had. With nothing but her bravura, she embarked and halfway succeeded. But she fell in love with someone that she shouldn't and had to marry another, keeping her lover on the side. She thinks she is handling it all pretty cool, what is happiness anyway, she countered. I dared say to her that at this point it is exciting but once the novelty is gone, she should be ready to deal with the guilt, the repercussions of emotional entanglement, the questioning look of her innocent children.