No Fear

Tell ya what *I'm* afraid of: That man skirt.

The Light At The End - Week 10, #23

There it is! I see it...that bright light over there. I'm drawn to it like a....moth to a -- no, too prosaic -- more like ME to a Nordstrom's Giant Shoe Sale! I want to walk into the light but I'm ... hesitant. Is it the fear of the rapture or that creepy salesman making eye contact with me? No, this isn't an episode of "The Ghost Whisperer." It's the end of our blog journey.

It's true, I'm sort of reluctant to quit blogging. Even if I continue, would anyone still read it? Maybe it doesn't matter. I've always viewed this medium as more journal writing than reporting. It's funny because I always thought of bloggers as self-indulgent, egocentric attention-seekers looking for a captive audience. Hello! It may be that I was, ahem, too quick to judge. Since this assignment began, I've read many blogs that are insightful, caustic, witty, funny and touching. Point in fact, many of these blogs belong to my co-workers (and some were from total strangers) and through their entries, I've gotten to know them in ways that might have taken longer if given the usual route. Knowing more about the individual person has bettered our working relationships and added depth to our friendships. I am grateful for their honesty and for letting me in.

So I started this blog thinking I would only relinquish a small part of me - only what I was certain it was okay for you to know about me. I ended it probably boring you to tears and rambling non-stop about all the weird stuff constantly running through my head. I've learned a lot about technology and have tried things I would never have tried on my own. (Note to self: Unregister from that music/video site and delete potentially embarrassing photos). Thanks for the incentive and the encouragement. That sharp stick in my back that I first blogged about was really just a gentle nudge. Perhaps there's a few more blog entries left in Secret Asian Girl.

After all, who knows what lies beyond the light.

Wet Oatmeal Kisses - A Poem

Cleaning out some old files and found this poem about growing up. Thinking of Tristan...thought I'd share. Some people may see this as sad but I think it's just...remembering. Either way, get out the Kleenex, you're gonna need 'em.

Wet Oatmeal Kisses

One of these days you'll explode
and shout to all the kids,
"Why don't you just grow up
and act your own age?"

And they will.

Or, "You guys get outside
and find something to do --
without hurting each other!
And don't slam the door!"

And they don't.

You'll straighten their bedrooms
until it's all neat and tidy,
toys displayed on the shelf,
hangers in the closet,
animals caged. You'll yell,
"Now I want it to stay this way!!"

And it will.

You will prepare a perfect dinner
with a salad that hasn't had all
the olives picked out.
And a cake with no finger traces in
the icing.
And you'll say,
"Now this is a meal for company."

And you will eat it alone.

You'll yell, "I want complete privacy
on the phone! No screaming, do you
hear me?"

And no one will answer.

No more plastic tablecloths stained.
No more dandelion bouquets.
No more iron-on patches.
No more wet, knotted shoelaces,
muddy boots or
Rubber bands for ponytails.

Imagine. A lipstick with a point.
No babysitters for New Year's Eve,
washing clothes only once a week.
No PTA meetings or silly school plays
where your child is a tree.
No carpools, blaring stereos or forgotten
lunch money.

No more presents made of library paste
and toothpicks. No wet oatmeal kisses.
No more tooth fairy, giggles in the dark,
scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to
clean.

Only a voice asking, "Why don't you grow up?"

And the silence echoes:

"I did."


Author unknown

Out of the Oven

Here's how my rustic pumpkin plum tart and rolls turned out. Hope your feast was yummy too! Happy Birthday Tristan!!!

Whatssamatta You? Eat, Already!

This yummy dessert is Pumpkin Chai Pots de Créme with Pumpkin Seed Brittle. As much as I loathe the word, "foodie," I suppose that's what I am. I love to try new and exotic recipes and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to try them out on unsuspecting guinea pigs, er...guests.

I come from a family of great cooks. My mother can make a sumptuous meal from an empty fridge - which is nothing less than astounding - and taught me to not be afraid to make a mess if I wanted to be a good cook. ("Quit being a baby and get your hands in there!!!") Comfort food is synonymous with my Mom. My aunts all specialize in different areas of food expertise: Aunt Irene makes to die for desserts, Aunt Nat's forte is seafood and side dishes, Aunt Ginny knows all the latest low-fat, good cholesterol recipes (she's from Los Angeles) and Aunt Margaret is fantastic with EVERYTHING. All very delicious and all very mysterious because none of them write anything down. When I ask them for a recipe they just wave me away with "Oh...I don't know, I never measure!" But if you want to learn "the secret" to soft, melt-in-your-mouth yeast rolls or perfectly roasted Beef Wellington, they are happy to spend the afternoon with you. Pay attention! Watch and learn! I pepper them with questions, "But...how do you KNOW when it's the right texture?" You had to see this answer coming..."You just KNOW." Aarrghh. My MOM, on the other hand will write it down for me. She probably forgot that once she told me, "The secret to being a great cook is that when people ask you for the recipe, give it to them but change just one small thing. That way, yours will always be better." Waitaminute...didn't you just give me the recipe for your stuffing?

So you can imagine that bringing food to my family's get-togethers can be stressful -- especially knowing that my superstar aunts and Mom will be trying it. I know they're grateful that I brought something and it's probably my imagination that they give me that "Oh ...is that a pie?" look, followed by "Did you use the paté brisee crust recipe?" I'm sure they're just being curious...right? Store-bought pie has never seen any of my family's dinners.

This year, for the first time in my memory, we are having Thanksgiving with just our immediate families instead of the whole clan. I'm glad for the quiet respite but I will miss all the terrific food. My mom is cooking the main meal though, thank goodness! What's my contribution? I'm making Aunt Margaret's yeast rolls - from scratch - and a new recipe: Rustic pumpkin ginger tart with plum preserves. I hope I do my family proud. Want the recipe? I'll be happy to write it down for you...

Sesame Street: The Early Years

Here's an interesting article from the New York Times about the early episodes of Sesame Street and how some of the content may not be suitable for 2007 preschoolers. Imagine...showing people who live in tenements! Oscar must be grouchy because he obviously has self-esteem problems....and are those cookies organic??? Personally, I think the kids of today are way too overprotected for their own good but don't get me started. I watched LOTS of television growing up and look how normal *I* turned out! (I heard that)

By the way, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Peace.

"E" Stands For "Enviable" Week 9, #22

I lust in my heart for a Sony Reader. The new models hold 160 e-books and look impressive with no glare and crystal clear readability. I love the concept of not lugging around heavy books and being able to access my entire library from one palm-sized unit. Unfortunately, the $299 cold shower retail price is going to have to come down to make it more attractive, plus the cost of the downloadable books are rather pricey: around $9 - 15 per book. *sigh* At least the titles are books written in THIS decade. The free e-books on Wowio and Librivox - which you can download directly to a PC, without purchasing a reader - are virtually (ha) unrecognizable. I guess never has the adage "you get what you pay for" been more true. The free offerings are crap. But I suppose if you've been living in a monastery for the past twenty years and never got to read "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" you're in luck. Otherwise, prepare for a rather dissatisfying search. It's sort of like browsing through the 25¢ paperback table at a garage sale. Got it...read it....what the heck is THAT? Good lord, is that grape jelly on my fingers? Bleah.

Why Germany Really Lost The War

This made me giggle.

Pods! You're Next...You're Next! Week 9, #21

If you recognized the obscure title of this entry as a reference to the 1956 film, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," you might be like me and watch a lot of films and television. I'm more a visual person than an audio person. Probably explains why I have a BA in Radio and Television but have never stepped foot in a radio station. Listening to radio is never my first choice when it comes to getting information or entertainment. Radio is boring to me. And as long as I'm confessing, I have NEVER listened to an audio book. Zzzzzzz.... It's just too slow. So I'm not sure if podcasts are for me either. I looked at a site - Podcast Alley - and found an interesting one on Harry Potter (by the way, it's the official podcast of the Leaky Cauldron, if you follow that fansite.) Another podcast that piqued my interest was Hardcore History, which is sort of like Charlie Rose meets the History Channel. Interesting "what if " discussions like "What if a plague, like the Black Death of 1347, occurred today and reduced our population by 100 million?" Besides finally being able to find parking at the Galleria, how else would it affect our lives? Interesting fodder for those who wish to sound smarter than they are. But.... I sure hope they run an episode of this on cable soon.

Turkey Time! Week 9, #20

This was easy to do at home but I'm not sure is it's viewable to hcpl viewers. If not, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0OZvjeMiUM

Zoho Ho! Week 8, #19

It seems like it could only be a matter of time before Microsoft Office was challenged. Zoho, a web-based alternative to the mighty document dictator, might prove MSOffice obsolete or force Microsoft to make their program even more user friendly...and cheaper. With Zoho, there's no expensive software to purchase. You simply sign up for a free account and go. Unfortunately, you do have to register for every different application (Zoho Writer, Zoho Sheet, etc.) but perhaps they'll bundle these in the future. Sharing documents, too, has never been easier. Kids (and adults) can collaborate on-line for group projects without worrying whether their programs are compatible for editing purposes.

So far, Zoho seems like a pretty cool thing. Easy, free and no more worries about that pesky "Is this a legitimate copy?" error from Microsoft. Mwahaha!

To Boldly Go... Week 8, #18

Social networking is science fiction come to life. Hal, are you there? No stress or anxiety, just sit in front of your computer and meet folks with similar interests. What an idea! Most people think of only Myspace or Facebook but apparently there's a world of networking out there. Okay, I suppose some of the sites looked fun, like Dogster and Ning. Sam might be interested in his own website so he can hook up with some of his Sheltie bro's and Posh Mama was all about parenting and looked like a great resource for new parents. Also, connecting with others who share health issues may provide important information during a difficult time. I'm not sure, however, about Pengspace, a website for penguin friends. Hmm.....

All right, I'll admit that I've "lurked" before but I always come away feeling creepy, like an online Peeping Tom. Who are these freakish people who spend hours at a keyboard, writing to no one in particular about their personal lives, their private thoughts...posting pictures of their kid in Underdog costumes....? (((shudder))) I am adjusting to the idea. In an increasingly shrinking world we are all reaching out to connect to one another; to share our lives and to feel less alone. This is more of the same - perhaps impersonal but definitely a means to that end...and to first contact.