We've all been there

Monday, February 19, 2007

Recently, there seems to be a slew of stories about women on the brink of insanity. The most recent being, America's beloved pop princess, Britney Spears. Prior to her, a few weeks ago we had esteemed astronaut, Lisa Nowak.






It's easy to point the finger, shaking our heads, while asking the question, "What were these women thinking?" All I have to say is that we've all been there. Maybe not to this extreme but we've all had our low points in our lives.

We are fortunate that our past has not been examined under the same scrutiny that these women are facing. We probably only have ourselves cringing at the memory of our less-than-glamourous points in our lives.

I'll be the first to admit that I've been there. I was at a very low point in my life not too long ago. Those who know me, know that I have been through a lot over the years. The build up of all the events greatly impacted my life and my health. As a result, I behaved in ways unlike my usual self.

I was lost, hurt, and unhappy.

During that time, I met someone that I would have like to have gotten to know better. He was a really great guy or so he seemed. He had a great sense of humour and I believe we shared similar values. We shared good times for a very short period until I drove him away. I was sad for awhile but I have learnt to forgive myself. I now realize that I was not myself and it was just bad timing.

Regardless, here I am today. I thank my family and closest friends for understanding and sticking by me. I thank them for seeing past the insanity and being there for me as I came around.

So, what I hope for these women is that their families stick by them and support them. The rest of the world should be more understanding. For, it is not our place to judge and we should let them be. Somehow, I believe that they are both hurt and unhappy. My hope is that they both find their way through this difficult period in their lives; my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Chinese New Year

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Beginning February 18th 2007 till February 6th 2008 is the year of the pig.

The eve of CNY is probably the high point of the celebration as that is when relatives gather, from far and near, for a reunion dinner. It is a time to rekindle family ties and enjoy sumptously prepared meals.

On New Year's day, ceremonial candles are lit, incense burned, and new clothes (red is the custom) worn. Greetings of "kong hee fatt choy" are made, which literally means "Happy New Year." Visits are made to relatives, friends, and neighbours to exchange wishes for health and good fortune.

Guests arrive bearing gifts of mandarin oranges which symbolize gold. It is also customary for married couples to give children and unmarried adults money inserted in red packets known as ang pow (which means "red packet"), as a gesture of wealth and good health. (I think this is probably the only time I'm happiest being single, just kidding!)

There are also taboos and beliefs, some of which are spiritual in nature, that must be observed. For example, traditionally, feasting generally goes on for 15 days. A break is taken on the third day where most businesses remain closed and visits to relatives and friends are discouraged.

Also, no one is allowed to sweep the floors on New Year's day as it is considered unlucky; doing so might result in one sweeping away one's good fortune for the new year. What is believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil is the lion which, according to legend, was the only animal that managed to wound the Nian.

In Chinese mythology, the Nian is a beast that arrives in the spring and would come to China and eat up the people it saw. The Chinese tradition of decorating in red, burning firecrackers, and the lion dance with loud drums and gongs was to scare away the beast.

The 15th and final day of the Lunar New Year is known as Chap Goh Meh (in Malaysia). The term is from the Hokkien dialect and translates to literally mean fifteenth day of the first month. It is the occasion of the first full moon of the New Year.

The occasion is marked by more feasting and festivities. In traditional Chinese culture, the day is celebrated as the Latern Festival; it should not be confused with the Mid-Autumn Festival which is also known as the Lantern Festival in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.

The Lantern Festival is a very sacred, happy, and joyful festival. Children go out at night carrying bright candle-lit lanterns. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope.

Traditionally, the date once served as a day for love and matchmaking. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples and young people were charperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love.

Leia's Bath

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Leia doesn't really like taking baths so getting her to stay in the tub can be a challenge:

She may not like it, but I love giving her baths. I see it as a time for bonding:

You can see why I like it more than she does:

Look at my baby all clean:

She's ever so keen to get out of the tub:

She helps dry herself off with the towel:

Almost done:

Attempts for freedom:

All clean and cozy, taking a nap:

All this was in preparation for Chinese New Year. On the first day, you're not supposed to clean or do any work. That includes showers and even cooking, specifically you're not to use a knife. All these superstitions have something to do with luck. If you clean, you wash away the new luck the new year has brought in.

More Outdoor Fun

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Valentine's Snow Day

She did not want to stay outside.

Sunday Night Dinners

Sunday, February 11, 2007

In exchange for my parents having to put up with me living at home (though they love me being home), I offered to be the designated Sunday cook. I miss cooking and it gives them both a break from the kitchen so we all gain from this arrangement. On the menu today is Rachel Ray's You-Won't-Be-Single-For-Long Vodka Cream Pasta: a tribute to this week's V-day celebrations. It is a simple recipe actually and it was a lot of fun to cook.

Ingredients
Course salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup chicken broth
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn
Crusty bread

Put a large pot of water over high heat for the pasta. When the water boils, add salt and penne. Cook according to package directions to al dente. Drain

Cutting the shallots made me cry.

Here we have the minced shallots and garlic, along with the shredded basil.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, garlic, butter, and shallots. Gently saute garlic and shallots to develop their sweetness.

Add vodka and cook to reduce by half.

Be careful not to inhale the evaporating vodka. It might be an interesting way to do vodka but it almost made me choke.

Add chicken broth and tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble, then reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

(In my drunken stupor, I forgot to take pictures of the sauce and the next few steps.)

Stir cream into the vodka sauce. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove from heat. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves. Serve immediately along with crusty bread. Yum!

An easy, quick recipe.

Proper Documentation Does Not Make Up For Poor Design

Friday, February 9, 2007

For my friends in ID:

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