Realized that it had been about a week since I blogged. This past week was my birthday. Actually, it may have been the first birthday in 8 years or more that I was actually in the US and not "on the road". I was lucky enough that at least one person remembered on my "pre-birthday" as well as my "real birthday". (So thank you!)
In general, the past month has been mentally confusing and emotionally stressful. Still trying to figure out what a friend meant by "so that is how it is going to be", muttered under his breath. Anything else that I could say tonight can wait.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Comedy Club #3
The mid-point of the comedy series at Clemens Center was reached tonight. Four of us made it to the show; for one, her first. It is fun to see the faces of people who are at the show for the first time. They range from "can I go now" (after the opening comic from the first show and, at least for me, the opening comic from this show) to "this comic is good" (reaction to the headliner from the first and third shows and to the second comic in the second show). The audience was also joined by Sorge's owners who lost their 57 year old business in a December fire. The Sorge's almost fell out of their chairs laughing during the "Irish weds Italian" bit ... gotta love those meatballs.
A friend mentioned that I did not have photos on some of my posts. So here is a photo; and yes, you are correct .... it has nothing to do with this post!
"Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil" Nikko Japan
A friend mentioned that I did not have photos on some of my posts. So here is a photo; and yes, you are correct .... it has nothing to do with this post!
"Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil" Nikko Japan
Monday, January 5, 2009
Amy's Taiwanese - Kaohsiung Taiwan
Over the two and a half weeks of vacation and holidays, I made time to test a recipe that I received from my favorite restaurant in Taiwan. During my last visit to Taiwan, I begged the chef to give me her recipe for "Clams in Spicy Sauce"; then one of my friends in Tainan translated it to English for me. Over the holidays, I set out to purchase all the ingredients and to create the wonderful dish that I enjoyed in Taiwan.
A few things that I discovered during my purchasing adventure: Buying clams in December in New York was difficult/impossible, mussels are not the same, and mussels need to be kept alive not wrapped in the plastic bag in the refrigerator. Preparation was just as eye-opening: Instructions to wear gloves when handling the peppers should be obeyed! Pots with no oil will still catch on fire. (This happened due to the hot peppers to be honest. The 15 minutes of scrubbing my hands raw to remove the burning left the new wok on the stove too long unattended!) Throwing a pan off a balcony into the snow is a great way to put out a fire!
Eventually, the meal was prepared. Although the canned clams tasted okay in the dish, they did not look as good. The photos are of the 'Clams in Spicy Sauce' at "Amy's". She also makes a very good Pina Colada with ice cream! Or, honey and kumquat juice is always good!!
A few things that I discovered during my purchasing adventure: Buying clams in December in New York was difficult/impossible, mussels are not the same, and mussels need to be kept alive not wrapped in the plastic bag in the refrigerator. Preparation was just as eye-opening: Instructions to wear gloves when handling the peppers should be obeyed! Pots with no oil will still catch on fire. (This happened due to the hot peppers to be honest. The 15 minutes of scrubbing my hands raw to remove the burning left the new wok on the stove too long unattended!) Throwing a pan off a balcony into the snow is a great way to put out a fire!
Eventually, the meal was prepared. Although the canned clams tasted okay in the dish, they did not look as good. The photos are of the 'Clams in Spicy Sauce' at "Amy's". She also makes a very good Pina Colada with ice cream! Or, honey and kumquat juice is always good!!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Modified Plans - Keeping an Open Heart
Developing plans may change ---- And sometimes the new ones turn out to give you more satisfaction than you would have expected! My original thought was to have some friends over this weekend, either Friday or Saturday, for dinner. Food, wine, and interesting conversation. That did not work out - in Florida, still in New Hampshire, at Penn State football game, and lastly - wanting to see kids that had been out of town over the holidays.
Instead on Friday, I completed most of the living room, which included hanging the kimono that was purchased in June. Funny how some things look fantastic on the hanger. They even seem to fit in the shop with the perfect lights and the compliments of the shopkeeper. Reality can be quite different. In this case, my memory and expectation of the kimono in 2008 was not the same as seeing it on the wall in 2009. However, it will still be another reminder of my personal times in Japan.
Today was spent on the ski slopes with three of my favorite people. A very early morning leaving at 6 am, not quite as early as the 4:30 am last January in Japan though, and returning as dusk arrived. The snow began on the way to the slopes and continued until noon. We started out slowly with a couple of beginner slopes. I needed to make sure my knees worked, bindings on my 19 year old skis and boots did not break, and that I could remember how to stop! Surprisingly even after skiing 4 hours (excluding breaks for lunch, purchase of hand-warmers, and for coffee) my knees are not hurting and I only have one new bruise on my shin. Great group to ski and board with; hopefully we'll be able to go again before late February! And too bad the ski trip to Utah originally planned for January 16th just did not work out for any of this small group or the larger group. Now I am back home, have had a long hot shower, and shortly will enjoy something to drink before I turn in early!
Instead on Friday, I completed most of the living room, which included hanging the kimono that was purchased in June. Funny how some things look fantastic on the hanger. They even seem to fit in the shop with the perfect lights and the compliments of the shopkeeper. Reality can be quite different. In this case, my memory and expectation of the kimono in 2008 was not the same as seeing it on the wall in 2009. However, it will still be another reminder of my personal times in Japan.
Today was spent on the ski slopes with three of my favorite people. A very early morning leaving at 6 am, not quite as early as the 4:30 am last January in Japan though, and returning as dusk arrived. The snow began on the way to the slopes and continued until noon. We started out slowly with a couple of beginner slopes. I needed to make sure my knees worked, bindings on my 19 year old skis and boots did not break, and that I could remember how to stop! Surprisingly even after skiing 4 hours (excluding breaks for lunch, purchase of hand-warmers, and for coffee) my knees are not hurting and I only have one new bruise on my shin. Great group to ski and board with; hopefully we'll be able to go again before late February! And too bad the ski trip to Utah originally planned for January 16th just did not work out for any of this small group or the larger group. Now I am back home, have had a long hot shower, and shortly will enjoy something to drink before I turn in early!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy 2009
Most people start the new year by writing resolutions. I wanted to start the new year by recalling the past year. Yesterday, last night, and this morning, I was trying to decide how to get on "paper" the year of 2008. Then, thanks to "not plain Jane" I saw the perfect way. (Thanks Jane for letting me "borrow" your blog concept for new years!)
2008 "Good-byes"
2008 "Good-byes"
- Stress
- Always being tired
- Never thinking about my health
- Holding others responsible
- Spending lots of time with my friends in Asia
- Work responsibility for past 18 years
- Home ownership
- Happiness
- Enjoyment of being interested
- Pleasure from never hiding anything
- Benefits of routine exercise
- New fit for my skills in same company
- Worry about health
- Possibility
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