Untitled Weekends

Wow, I almost let the lack of an inspiration for a blog post title stop me from writing a new blog post. But then, I decided, "To hell with being methodical! I can do whatever I want! Who cares if it doesn't make sense?" So now you see this. Or you could just pretend that I put a lot of time and thought into the title and assume that the adjective "Untitled" to describe this "weekend" is symbolic of the indescribable, ephemeral quality that characterized my Saturday and Sunday. Yeah, I just made that up, but it sounds like a plausible explanation, no?

Actually, it makes sense. Weekends are always one thing for sure, and that's ephemeral--at least to me. When is the last time I was stricken with ennui? Never, I say. As proof, here are all the things I accomplished--or experienced--within a 48-hour timespan:

Vegetarian tofu curry, made Indian-style, to eat with
flatbreads for a Satuday breakfast!

100% rye flatbread...made flat on a cast iron pan because
I didn't realize you can't make baguettes from 100% rye
unless you plan on hurling it at the next little
 bugger you meet.

My mom and I made "Molasses-Rye Snaps" with changes such as several
extra teaspoons of ground ginger, using the Buddha's Hand syrup instead
of sugar, and olive oil in place of butter. They were evocative
 of the warm-hearth-feeling of the winter season. 

A Buddha's Hand's amputated fingers stuck into a
 jar of sugar + a couple of hours = a liquefied sweet, citrus-y syrup that lasts
for months. 

Only recently have I began to accept myself in my entirety, learning to be content with my physical appearance, less-than-perfect capabilities (that goes for athletic, academic, and talent), and eccentric personality. I find that, if I continue to think positively and discount the small things that I'd usually be hung up  over for days, my advantages do present itself in seemingly insignificant moments. 

Well, that doesn't sound like it makes sense, but here an example. I'm glad for my short stature. Although I am not usually a towering or physically imposing presence, I can shine in other ways or, counter-intuitively, even stand out because of my below-average height. Best of all, I believe that my height helps me to notice things of which most people would not even give a second glance. Not only do I credit my genes for lessening my chances of a fall (lower center of gravity, of course), but I also think it gives me a different vantage point both physically and mentally.

These flowers were picked up along my weekly run--from between
sidewalk cracks, in the midst of lawn grass, just peeking through
the soil, and wherever else you'd find tiny, precious gems hiding.

Measuring only a couple of millimeters across,
 the flowers make a colorful composition,
 a true miniature bouquet! For some reason, smaller flowers
stand out more to me, or maybe I'm just biased...

A sort of minimalist ratatouille made from only acorn squash and sweet
potatoes baked for about half of an hour. A truly deliciously simple dish
 that I plan on recreating in a slow cooker in college.

Yellow roses harvested from the backyard being soaked
 in a solution of glycerin and water in a 1:2 ratio as
per the instructions. (I'm trying to preserve flowers!)

Maybe I'll even be able to see this exact flower
 in the next year?

My dad's attempt at recreating the Szechuan cuisine we
 enjoyed in Chinatown just a couple of weeks ago.

It doesn't look entirely appetizing, but at least I can say that
it tasted far better than it looked. (Lawl @ my mom
surreptitiously spooning out the oil whenever my dad
wasn't looking.)

Sometimes, it's just taking that first step that's difficult. I've been trying to sneak running back into my daily regime for quite a while now. After I did so this weekend, I realized that I've been extremely lazy during the past few months. Too lazy to change into exercise clothing and justifying it by putting a piece of homework in front of me while I'm in front of the computer, which is never a productive idea. On some days Most of the times, we're just tired, and nothing is more enticing than grabbing a snack and settling into a comfy, cushioned chair. On those days, I just recommend to anyone to watch this. Take that first step into making that lifestyle change, working towards that goal, or even doing a school project. I find that opening up a blank word document and typing in a header is a significant accomplishment. I find that starting is always the hardest.

I went running, not once, but twice. I am so proud of myself.

3 out of the 4 sourdough ciabattas I made today
 huddle together and close in on the camera.

I DID IT. I made bread. Real artisan-style bread. the ones with a soft, open, moist, and chewy crumb, unlike the bricks that I've been putting together for the past couple of years. I was never as proud as I was today, after making these babies--not even when I got accepted to college. I apologize to all the guinea pigs victims who were subject to the torture of having to consume of my previous bread teeth-gnashers.

From top and clockwise: regular ciabatta (eldest), heavily oiled and
seasoned (with oregano, basil, and sesame seeds) ciabatta (2nd youngest),
and lightly seasoned with the same ingredients (2nd eldest). Unpictured:
 deformed plain ciabatta (youngest). 

Dad consumes the deformed (still yummy), crispy ciabatta,
 while my mom anxiously waits for me to finish showering so
we can "test" the other ones...

Hallelujah! AN OPEN CRUMB!
The holy grail of my sourdough bread-baking adventure!

Not only is the crumb full of large holes, but it's also chewy and moist.
All without oil?! I hope it stays that way.

Open crumb, open crumb, open crumb...

Look how ridiculously large some of them are! The only misgiving: the wax paper that adhered to the bottom, resulting in my mom and me cutting off the bottom of every loaf--oops.

Last picture, I promise. At least, for now...

And that's not all I did. I did homework, planned out prom stuff, and, most importantly, started on my last art piece, a large-scale model that is probably going to be a triptych...don't ask me what I plan. My nature runs on spontaneity and impulse, making those "what are you doing?" (especially regarding long-term goals) questions a very strong pet peeve...

Muggy and Sticky

How is it that I can't come up with the things I want to say whenever I open up a new blog post? The whole purpose of this blog is to vent whatever emotions and desultory thoughts that run through my mind, but my posts never form out exactly as how I want them to--I wish I were able to accurately depict the thoughts that run through my head exactly as they're formulated, but woe unto me. The little tirades and revelations that swim through my mind throughout the day just seem to scatter like whenever they're confronted with a blank document!

SO, I finally did what any memory-impaired person would take the precaution to do and jotted down terse phrases as a reminder of the topics that I'd like to write about. Starting from the beginning of the day, my mind seems to be perpetually wondering about various matters, mostly in introspection (I sometimes consider myself rather self-absorbed, which unfortunately has a negative connotation).

Today's weather (always the first thing I notice in the mornings) started slightly foggy. What's worse is that the day's increasing mugginess only imbibed a deeper lethargy and, for some, restlessness--not conducive to competitive sports or the general mood. In other words, the weather set the mood for the rest of the day, despite its purported insignificance in life (hullo, seasonal affective disorder).

Mornings start off usually with a bowl of oatmeal and a fried egg.
How salutary! This was also accompanied by a pan-fried 100% rye
sourdough flatbread, rolled as a result of my  ignorance about using rye flour).

Firstly, I'd like to thank my mom, for showing everyone you know this website. /sarcasm. In addition, my mom told me that I am loved by one of her co-workers. Why? Because I'd make "a good wife" for any of his potential nephews or nieces. Uh, what? You have no idea how hard I laughed at this.

Reasons I imagine that I would NOT make a good (traditional) wife:

• I am headstrong, controlling, domineering, and assertive. Wait, does that count as several reasons? I like to be in control of my circumstances and easily become all anal when someone tries to interfere.

• I must win every argument, even if it requires shouting at the top of my lungs or clawing the opposing victim arguer into submission.

• I am often vexed when it comes to matters of romance or love, since the left side of my brain completely overpowers the emotions of frontal lobe and fails to see the rationale for love-driven actions and meaningless depression resulting from said actions (or lack of)...if that makes sense...

• I am an elephant. I stampede like one. I trumpet like one. I am as short-sighted as one (both figuratively and literally). And I'm proud of it.

• I dislike cleaning with a passion. I ain't cleaning up yo' shizz.

• I like concocting creative (note, not necessarily delicious) recipes in the kitchen. And it's healthy food--the bane of most people I know.

• I am demanding. "Go do (insert whatever menial task that I deem one to be able to accomplish without screwing everything up)." I even command my mother around. Geez, I'm lucky that she's so tolerant, now that I think about it...

• I'm sure there are far more....

Wow, I feel a bit like a misandrist, just a little. Speaking of hate, I must validate this theory: mean people are mean because a) they lack the gift of intelligence and foresight to determine the consequences of their actions, b) they are deaf, blind, or in some way, physically debilitated, thus rendered oblivious to their surroundings, potentially coming off as "mean," or c) to hide their own insecurities (whether it may have derived from a tragic childhood or lack of confidence in physical appearance). Unfortunately, meanness propagates within school settings and becomes an increasingly ingrained habit (to those who exercise it, of course).

My 7:30 dinner: brown rice, ah thote,
and spaghetti squash soup!

Man, I was going to write and brag about how I was selected as the writer with the "best diction" in my AP Literature class by my most favorite english teacher ever, but looking back at this post, I'm kind of hesitant. I think I have a tendency to butcher words. Maybe it's because I normally don't use certain words that it sounds awkward actually using rather than reading and comprehending. Hmm...

/end post

For self:
Hot Words Practice - Let's use them in sentences!
• I sometimes feel vacuous when it comes to public speaking.
• The vapid classroom environment was extremely soporific.
• Teachers and administrators take my words as unquestionable veracity.
• I am a verdant photographer.
• The venal double agent fleeced an inordinate amount of money from his two clients.

OK, I give up...Wait no, I have one more: This post is far too verbose. Good night.

Something Must Be in the Air

Wow, I'm proud to say that my dad outsmarted two seasoned firemen and one frazzled tenant. Recently receiving an emergency call, my father, the plumber, headed out to the scene. He tells me that, in front of the house, there were a couple of firetrucks called to address the catastrophe of a blown-off (yes, literally blown off, full-force, out of the piping) valve. Water was being blasted turbulently out of that tenant's walls, even leaking all the way from the third to first floor. The firemen failed to figure out how to fix it. However, my dad, recognizing the solution straightaway, merely took his screwdriver and turned the shut-off mechanism that is apparently a part of any valve. The firemen and tenant gaped in astonishment (or most likely in relief) the appearing ingenuity.

Well, putting momentous moments aside, I can say that I tried dandelion greens for the first time--stir-fried. There's nothing especially outstanding about the taste, except that it tasted a bit bitter, not that I'm complaining. But with stats like these, who can complain?

Dandelion herb contains notable nutrients
and is a great source of nutrition during winter 
This humble backyard herb provides
 (%of RDA/100g):
9% of dietary fiber, 
19% of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), 
20% of Riboflavin,
58% of vitamin C, 
338% of vitamin A, 
649% of vitamin K, 
39% of iron and 
19% of calcium.

Already Another Day?!

Did you just say something?

Ground yellow split peas mixed with water over
a hot stove makes for some amazing tofu to
 make ah thote.

*glances around*

Oh hello there Rosemary Raisin Bread, your--ahem--parts are peeking.

At least you didn't burn!

And is this the rest of your family? Nice to meet you guys!

Oh hey, they're as beautiful on the inside as they
are on the outside!

Huh? What did you just say? "Happy May?" Don't you mean "Happy April?"

Fishes cooking in their own oil and eggs. How deliciously gruesome...

Worry not, you guys will not have died in vain!

Wait--what do you mean? Isn't it still April? Didn't I just turn 18? AP testing is next week? Graduation is in two weeks? I still have a monumental-scale art project to plan, coordinate, and complete in only several days?

Dad cooks a full multiple-course dinner for the first time in a while!

Stop it--you're joking, aren't you?

Cauliflower and rice cakes can never go wrong.

*gives the calendar a cursory glance*

Dad waves his chopstick in front of the camera.
"Don't take pictures! I arranged it so well, and then
your mom ate all of the veggies [the dish was garnished
 with green bell peppers "beautifully," according to my father]!"
Mom just can't keep her fingers off of the food, huh.

Oh my goodness. It is definitely time to hustle, isn't it? Time to cue the battle music.

A 79th B-day, Homemade Cake, and Citrus Orgy

Happy 79th Birthday, dear and lovely Grandma! I wonder whether or not I'll be back home next year...

*interruption by the realization that I must go knead my dough*

Wow, here I am seriously considering whether or not to partake in "Senior Ditch Day - YOLO" tomorrow. Me, being the "good girl" and never having had done anything "YOLO"-inspired ever, wonders how exactly to carry this out. Do I have to call in sick? Do I come to school for a couple of minutes to turn in whatever is due?  But would that actually defeat the purpose? I laugh at myself.

Well, I can justify my ditching tomorrow with the reason being that I need to catch up with my schoolwork. That makes perfect sense right? I have no insidious and rebellious motivation behind "ditching." I might not even be technically "ditching," but simply taking an extra day to do schoolwork, which I would be doing anyways if I were at school sans passing periods, commute, etc. So this would actually be a more efficient alternative to going to school, right?

Ahem, now, anyways, back to the post. Senioritis has many benefits, and I actually attribute my recent mood of introspection and general happiness to it (as well as the creating the time to bake, etc). First of all, although we started the day a bit late because I stayed up pretty late/early (midnight creativity strikes again!) painting my grandma's birthday card. Although we arrived near our reservation time at 12 at Gourmet Village, no one was there, but they all trickled in over the course of the hour. When they arrive, my family remarked on how different I looked--more grown-up (did you do something with your eyebrows?), making me beam, "I am an adult." Laughing, I greeted my family, although sadly sans three of my UC-attending cousins. 

Little cousin shows off his towering height!
Well, as towering as a  5-year-old can be...

Cider + pretty-sure-it's-illegal soup, anyone?

Lobster noodles, squishy noodles. Same difference.

Most beautiful 79-year-old ever.

Peking Duck Sandwich, a delicious classic.

The catfish greets you. 

Some sort of lettuce wrap with diced vegetables and duck?

With crisped rice vermicelli noodles--love that!

Catfish deconstructed?

Big smiles all around!

Feeding little cousin a chocolate leaf while he gives a peace sign
and his mother gives him some remark.

My cakes--sliced! The top cake is a "Happy Mother's Day" cake topped with
chocolate-dipped strawberries and red frosting. Sliced is the toasted coconut
 cake, which, sadly, ended up far too dense.

I thought the food orgy was over after we all left the restaurant, but apparently not. My father decided to spontaneously pay a visit to my grandfather in Milpitas, and the warm weather definitely made it enjoyable. And maybe the bountiful amount of citrus fruits and flowers did too?

Ok, so I'm being a little vain in the car, but
hey, the qi pao is so pretty, and this is the first opportunity I've had to wear it in a year!

Driving on the highway is something that probably won't occur frequently next year...

I was pretty surprised at the dark background
that was the result of a late afternoon shade
over the rosebush!

This is that > rosebush.

My mother and grandfather enjoying a small talk.

Dad is taking a nap in Milpitas.

Young leaves of the lemon tree make for a
refreshing Burmese-style salad

This lilypad-esque leaves do too!

Another patch of tiny flowers peeks
through the ground.

My uncle worked tirelessly to pick
garbage-bag-full quantities of fruits for us!

All sizes of oranges are visible, and I
saw quite a few mutant ones.

Oranges make mom smile.

Apparently my fascination encompasses
 every little thing.

The sun is so bright. Those miniature petals
 that were falling everywhere turned out to
be bugs upon closer inspection...

I wish these sort of trees grew in our backyard!
 I'm so jealous!

And these, too.

Thick-rinded, not too sweet--just the way I enjoyed them.

And presently, I'm preparing to bake of batch of these. And my parents are currently up because they want to spend some more time with me, something they regret that they didn't do with my brother...