Monday, November 12, 2012
Sorry!
Oh my gosh....has it really been SIX WEEKS since I've posted anything? Sorry it's taken so long, but I promise to post more adventures soon. October was insanely busy, but expect something soon!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Foodie Love from Boston
This month, my Foodie Penpal came from Boston. Her name is Tegan, and she sent a package with some things that make me think that we'd get along pretty well in real life.
Her letter mentioned that she wished she could send me something from a local farmer's market that she worked at over the summer, which sounds heavenly especially because I've worked one around here.
The package included these cute little bottles of infused olive oil and vinegar. I totally dig stuff that's homemade, and the fact that I can toss it in a salad is just an added bonus.
Then, I almost jumped up and down when I saw it. Taza Mexican Dark Chocolate...with CINNAMON. People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them that I love cinnamon and chocolate together. So delicious that I was tempted to just eat it all right then and there.
And last but not least...this adorable bottle of maple syrup. I haven't tried it yet. I'm sure it'll go great with my waffles.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Chinese
A majority of the people on our cruise are from China. Like, 99% of the people. My family is Chinese, but they have resided in the Philippines for a few generations. Although we may be genetically similar, the cultural differences weren't lost on us.
Some of the native Chinese people came from the more rural areas of mainland, where social maxims were not so strongly encouraged. These same people also did not speak English. I can't stress enough, that not ALL Chinese people were
Unfortunately, being on a boat with about 1900 Chinese people meant that I was getting pushed around a lot. So was my mom. It's super frustrating when you can't tell someone to stop pushing you out of the way because they don't understand anything you're saying.
<Huge sigh>
Unfortunately, it only took about a day for my mom to absorb this behavior into her repertoire.
We were standing in one of the ship's bars. I tried to get out of her way. She grabbed my arms, said, "No, stay right there."
Then she, full on, body checked me.
That's right. She pushed me....
Before I could snap myself out of the momentary bewilderment, she came from behind me, and DID IT AGAIN.
It was then that I really missed having access to my blog, because China blocks all sorts of fun websites.
What made me really laugh was whenever we ran into other Americans, Australians, or Europeans on the boat. She talked about how everyone just assumed that she was "just another rude Chinese person" on the ship.
Some of the native Chinese people came from the more rural areas of mainland, where social maxims were not so strongly encouraged. These same people also did not speak English. I can't stress enough, that not ALL Chinese people were
Unfortunately, being on a boat with about 1900 Chinese people meant that I was getting pushed around a lot. So was my mom. It's super frustrating when you can't tell someone to stop pushing you out of the way because they don't understand anything you're saying.
<Huge sigh>
Unfortunately, it only took about a day for my mom to absorb this behavior into her repertoire.
We were standing in one of the ship's bars. I tried to get out of her way. She grabbed my arms, said, "No, stay right there."
Then she, full on, body checked me.
That's right. She pushed me....
Before I could snap myself out of the momentary bewilderment, she came from behind me, and DID IT AGAIN.
It was then that I really missed having access to my blog, because China blocks all sorts of fun websites.
What made me really laugh was whenever we ran into other Americans, Australians, or Europeans on the boat. She talked about how everyone just assumed that she was "just another rude Chinese person" on the ship.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Dying
I have this cousin named Kevin. Actually, it's Kyle, but we call him Kevin.
Kevin's a great kid. And about a year and a half ago, Kevin was diagnosed with Leukemia. We were shocked and saddened, but we all rallied around him knowing that he would beat it.
We weren't wrong; earlier this year, he went into remission.
By the time we were headed for Manila, we received an e-mail from Kevin's mom. Unfortunately, the bad cells were back, and it looked like a bone marrow transplant would soon be necessary. Kevin's mother and sister were not matches. She was asking if we would be willing to set of a donor drive?
I sat in the airport, trying not to cry. I looked over at my mom and she scowled, saying, "Your aunt is so dramatic. She acts like he's dying."
Um...he just had cancer. And he has cancer again. I think that counts. Nonetheless, I'm trying to stay positive.
So I say, "Um... I'm going to be honest with you. I don't think he's going to die. He is pretty sick, but he's young, and I think he can beat it again. However, I can see why his mom would be pretty worried."
If you've ever felt like you knew a train wreck was about to happen, this was my moment.
My mom replied angrily, "I knew it! I KNEW you would take her side!"
In my head I'm thinking: sides?!? There are sides? And if so, whose side is she taking? Cancer?
She continued, "Every time I mention her, you get so defensive of her!"
"Well she's not here to defend herself. I think we should stop talking about her. It makes you angry," I said.
"I AM NOT ANGRY!" She glared in my direction.
I looked around and was grateful that most of the other people in the airport didn't understand English or didn't seem to invest too much interest into our conversation. It was only a few hours, but it seemed like such a long flight.
Bottom line: My cousin has leukemia. He needs a bone marrow transplant. So many other people do too. If you are on the registry, thank you! If you aren't on the registry yet, please consider signing up.
Kevin's a great kid. And about a year and a half ago, Kevin was diagnosed with Leukemia. We were shocked and saddened, but we all rallied around him knowing that he would beat it.
We weren't wrong; earlier this year, he went into remission.
By the time we were headed for Manila, we received an e-mail from Kevin's mom. Unfortunately, the bad cells were back, and it looked like a bone marrow transplant would soon be necessary. Kevin's mother and sister were not matches. She was asking if we would be willing to set of a donor drive?
I sat in the airport, trying not to cry. I looked over at my mom and she scowled, saying, "Your aunt is so dramatic. She acts like he's dying."
Um...he just had cancer. And he has cancer again. I think that counts. Nonetheless, I'm trying to stay positive.
So I say, "Um... I'm going to be honest with you. I don't think he's going to die. He is pretty sick, but he's young, and I think he can beat it again. However, I can see why his mom would be pretty worried."
If you've ever felt like you knew a train wreck was about to happen, this was my moment.
My mom replied angrily, "I knew it! I KNEW you would take her side!"
In my head I'm thinking: sides?!? There are sides? And if so, whose side is she taking? Cancer?
She continued, "Every time I mention her, you get so defensive of her!"
"Well she's not here to defend herself. I think we should stop talking about her. It makes you angry," I said.
"I AM NOT ANGRY!" She glared in my direction.
I looked around and was grateful that most of the other people in the airport didn't understand English or didn't seem to invest too much interest into our conversation. It was only a few hours, but it seemed like such a long flight.
Bottom line: My cousin has leukemia. He needs a bone marrow transplant. So many other people do too. If you are on the registry, thank you! If you aren't on the registry yet, please consider signing up.
Taxi
I know. We're all thinking it, so I'm just going to put it out there.
I'm fat.
And I'm ok with that. Really, I am. My hope is that you're okay with that too.
My mom likes to point this out a whole lot. So does her family. She insists that doing so is a cultural thing. I insist that it's a family thing.
Unfortunately, she didn't seem to remember this whenever we were riding a taxi with my cousin and her husband. My cousin would slide into the backseat first, my mom would follow. Unfortunately, she wouldn't always slide across to the middle of the backseat. She'd leave about half of a seat's worth of space and then gesture for me to get in.
Then, I'd gesture for her to scoot over. She'd tell me to get in. I'd tell her to scoot over.
It's a vicious cycle. I'd finally just try to fit on half the seat, then close the door on myself to show her that I really am not a magician and I do really need a whole seat.
After about 6 to 8 taxi rides, mom says "Hey! I have an idea. Maybe YOU should get in first."
There is a God.
I agreed, said thank you, and hopped in before she could change her mind. And yes, for a brief second, thought that this would be a great opportunity to leave her half a seat. I let it pass, because I can't consider myself evolved if I make the same mistakes. The thought did make me giggle a little bit though.
I'm fat.
And I'm ok with that. Really, I am. My hope is that you're okay with that too.
My mom likes to point this out a whole lot. So does her family. She insists that doing so is a cultural thing. I insist that it's a family thing.
Unfortunately, she didn't seem to remember this whenever we were riding a taxi with my cousin and her husband. My cousin would slide into the backseat first, my mom would follow. Unfortunately, she wouldn't always slide across to the middle of the backseat. She'd leave about half of a seat's worth of space and then gesture for me to get in.
Then, I'd gesture for her to scoot over. She'd tell me to get in. I'd tell her to scoot over.
It's a vicious cycle. I'd finally just try to fit on half the seat, then close the door on myself to show her that I really am not a magician and I do really need a whole seat.
After about 6 to 8 taxi rides, mom says "Hey! I have an idea. Maybe YOU should get in first."
There is a God.
I agreed, said thank you, and hopped in before she could change her mind. And yes, for a brief second, thought that this would be a great opportunity to leave her half a seat. I let it pass, because I can't consider myself evolved if I make the same mistakes. The thought did make me giggle a little bit though.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Foodie Love from Utah
When my first Foodie Penpal box arrived at the house, I had to share it with my mother, who also loves surprises and receiving things in the mail.
"Food penpals? Does such a thing exist?" my mom asked.
"Yes," I said, and proceeded to tell her about Lindsey's blog and the great program she set up.
Intrigued, we both opened the box as quickly as we could. She quickly became a fan.
I was more than thrilled to find out that my first box was filled with a whole bunch of homemade sweetness!
My box was sent by Jenny, who lives in Utah and authors the blog Royal Little Lambs.
Here's the note Jenny included in my box:
I am not sure I can express how excited I get when people make me things. Really. In my opinion, a jar of homemade jam beats a bouquet of flowers. Did I mention that I also love jars? And this box came with six of them! Jenny cans her own stuff. How cool is that?
My box included:
After this picture I had to pause to make myself a sandwich with the blackberry jam. It was heavenly.
I asked Jenny if there was anything in particular that Utah is famous for, and she sent me some Slide Ridge Raw Honey. I haven't opened it yet, but I know it'll go fast the second I do!
Thank you again Jenny! You are awesome!
"Food penpals? Does such a thing exist?" my mom asked.
"Yes," I said, and proceeded to tell her about Lindsey's blog and the great program she set up.
Intrigued, we both opened the box as quickly as we could. She quickly became a fan.
I was more than thrilled to find out that my first box was filled with a whole bunch of homemade sweetness!
My box was sent by Jenny, who lives in Utah and authors the blog Royal Little Lambs.
I am not sure I can express how excited I get when people make me things. Really. In my opinion, a jar of homemade jam beats a bouquet of flowers. Did I mention that I also love jars? And this box came with six of them! Jenny cans her own stuff. How cool is that?
- Blackberry jam
- Pickles
- Apple sauce
- Apple Butter
- A jar of raw honey
- Raspberry jam
After this picture I had to pause to make myself a sandwich with the blackberry jam. It was heavenly.
I asked Jenny if there was anything in particular that Utah is famous for, and she sent me some Slide Ridge Raw Honey. I haven't opened it yet, but I know it'll go fast the second I do!
Thank you again Jenny! You are awesome!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Shopping
My mom loves to shop. I don't. At least not the way she does it. My mom shops like it's a sport, and she is its seasoned veteran. This little old lady who gets winded so quickly at all of the tourist areas we've visited, can often shop for 5 hours straight without ever complaining that she's tired.
I feel both obligated and doomed to invite her shopping whenever she's around. Since we're traveling together, I don't exactly have the luxury of escaping.
Our last day in Japan, she holds up yen worth about 80 bucks and says, "We should spend this before we get back on the boat. Get whatever you want."
Oh, silly me. I thought that I knew what those words meant. Or that they actually meant anything at all.
We go into a store that has some really cute clothes. We actually go into several. I can be pretty picky about clothes, and the ones we found in Japan are a bit more expensive than I'm used to, so I want to find something I really love...something I'd wear more than twice.
Unfortunately, I'm not tiny like most of the clothes in Japan, so my choices are limited. Luckily, the last store we entered had a cute little belted shift dress that looked great when I tried it on. Mom agreed. Then she said, "It's 30 dollars?!? We could make that at home. Find something else. We're not buying it."
Now, I have made quite a few things with a sewing machine, but I have yet to make my own dress. Also, we only have about 20 more minutes to shop. So I tell her, "It's ok, I'm done. I don't want to shop anymore. Let's just get back on the ship."
We constantly play this game. I call it, "what do you want to buy so I can make sure we don't get it?" By now, I'm tired of playing the game. It's hot. It's humid. We've been walking around stores for a while now, and I haven't bought a thing. I don't want my last memory of Japan to be of the two of us arguing.
Before we board, she uses the rest of the money to buy a few small trinkets. We see some nice kimonos, and she insists that I try one on.
It's beautiful, but I'm still missing the shift dress. I would have worked that thing into my wardrobe on a weekly basis. I look at the prices, and think, wait a minute, this costs more than the dress I wanted.
And yet, my mom insists it was a good buy. "You can wear it for Halloween or something."
I desperately want to know what this something is.
I feel both obligated and doomed to invite her shopping whenever she's around. Since we're traveling together, I don't exactly have the luxury of escaping.
Our last day in Japan, she holds up yen worth about 80 bucks and says, "We should spend this before we get back on the boat. Get whatever you want."
Oh, silly me. I thought that I knew what those words meant. Or that they actually meant anything at all.
We go into a store that has some really cute clothes. We actually go into several. I can be pretty picky about clothes, and the ones we found in Japan are a bit more expensive than I'm used to, so I want to find something I really love...something I'd wear more than twice.
Unfortunately, I'm not tiny like most of the clothes in Japan, so my choices are limited. Luckily, the last store we entered had a cute little belted shift dress that looked great when I tried it on. Mom agreed. Then she said, "It's 30 dollars?!? We could make that at home. Find something else. We're not buying it."
Now, I have made quite a few things with a sewing machine, but I have yet to make my own dress. Also, we only have about 20 more minutes to shop. So I tell her, "It's ok, I'm done. I don't want to shop anymore. Let's just get back on the ship."
We constantly play this game. I call it, "what do you want to buy so I can make sure we don't get it?" By now, I'm tired of playing the game. It's hot. It's humid. We've been walking around stores for a while now, and I haven't bought a thing. I don't want my last memory of Japan to be of the two of us arguing.
Before we board, she uses the rest of the money to buy a few small trinkets. We see some nice kimonos, and she insists that I try one on.
It's beautiful, but I'm still missing the shift dress. I would have worked that thing into my wardrobe on a weekly basis. I look at the prices, and think, wait a minute, this costs more than the dress I wanted.
And yet, my mom insists it was a good buy. "You can wear it for Halloween or something."
I desperately want to know what this something is.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)