Everyday Italian...

Giada De Laurentiis
If you love Italian food, you'd like Giada De Laurentiis on Food network. I think she is such an astonishing chef. When I first saw her show, I thought she looked like Natalie Portman but with green eyes and leaner body. The way she cooks is very clean and tiny-for example, always wipe and wash her utensils. Moreover, her cooking style is simple and contemporary. It does help for a guy who loves italian food but doesn't know how to cook italian well. By watching her show, it looks seemingly easy. Giada definitely has a neat appealing that attracts many food aficionados to watch her show.

This weekend, I'm going to try her Salmon Baked in Foil and Profiteroles with Ricotta Mascarpone. Her selection, salmon baked in foil looks so easy to make. Basically, sprinkle salmon with a pinch of salt and pepper, drizzle olive oil over, add chopped tomatoes, shallots, lemon juice and bake for 25min in a preheated oven for 400 degree. Then, I can start my profiteroles. Profiterole is eclairs in French or most Americans call creampuffs. It sounds complicated to make the dough but it really isn't. Basically, you just need water, teaspoon of sugar, eggs, and flour. First, stir in a cook pan for 5min. Second, spread the dough in a baking sheet with a parchment paper. Third, baked for 55 min in a preheated oven for 275degree. Here is a link how to prepare this meal. Food network . Her cooking is so simple yet decadent. I'm in love with her cooking! Racheal Ray makes way for Giada!


The only question is...How does she manage to keep her body so lean but indulge sumptous food? *stun* Can someone comment on that?

Scaling and Root Planing

My dentist recommended to perform a regular deep cleaning every year. I didn't think it was neccessary unless my teeth was shattering. Last time I did a deep cleaning was 2 years ago. I had totally forgotten the manacing pain and anesthetic effect induced in your mouth for hours. The procedure was split into 2 visits. First visit, my dentist had to work on my upper right then left quantum. Before I even showed up, I bit my upper lips and it got really swollen. I mentioned to my dentist but was forcibly shown up for my appointment. Otherwise, I would get a $50 fee for cancellation. So, he spreaded some sorta anesthetic gas into my mouth to make it numbed. Then, he started the novocain and injected several shoots. Local anesthesia is neccessary for this procedure. After 2 minutes, he pulled out a currette to probe and clean the pockets in the gums. That thing looked like a miniature drilling machine. I was very uneasy at first but got used to ito it. Followed the next step, the dentist used a vibrating ultrasonic device to scrape up tartar from your tooth. That scarping noise was rather hard for me to hear. The procedure took about 45min-1 hour. At the end, the dentist used an abrasive paste and floss to clean your mouth. My mouth was exhausted after a long hour. But, it was worth it. Today, i have to go back for my left quantum. boy, wish me LUCK!

Japantown...

More picture from Cherry Blossom Festival 2005. From Left: Mikey, Aisling, David, and May. We were on our way to Karaoke but was stopped by a cult lady. She was propagating her religious practice. First, She gave us some flyers. Then, tried to convince us to join her meeting. I just took the opportunity and asked her to take a photo of us. It came out pretty neat. hehehe..

SF Cherry Blossom 2005

Cherry Blossom 2005. From Left: David, Angela, Mikey, and May. This weekend, I called up a few friends to join me at the annual cherry blossom festival in Japantown. I had such a great time hanging out with them. We were boisterious, tumulturous, and ludicrous looking for food and loafing around the parade. I felt like people were staring at us all the time. May was recovering from a party last night. She was everywhere in the street fair looking for sumptous food and drinks. I didn't wanna wait in line. I went for the shortest line who served japanese udon and yakitori. It wasn't best but not the worst either. But, David bought his food from the supermarket. He said the bento box was huge and cheap. I, on the other hand, thought it was just street fairs who would have thought of things like that. Oh well, it's all good. Asiling was holding the camera. She's not on this picture. Later, We ended up at a picture booth and took some sticky photos. It was silly but so fun!

Lash Out on China!

I've been avoiding China's politics and economy. It's time to speak up and rub some sense to these chinese rabble. You watched on the news that japanese restaurants and factories were looted and destroyed by despicable scabs. Protesters stired up a rally to against Japanese history textbook which they believed play down the wartime atrocities. Well, this rally atrocity is all a scheme. These loathsome thugs were hired by the government to do its dirty job!

Chinese economy is declining this year. They are shifting the sluggish economy into politics. Japan or Taiwan will be a scapegoat for China. The government is using economic resentment to create nationalistic outbreaks against Taiwan. As for Taiwan, keep a close eye on chinese nationalism. They sure know how to hoist a Typhoon!

Brunch at Joy Luck Palace

At sunday dim sum table...from left: Vivi, Kandra and Mikey. I was hungry after brunch! Someone ate my bbq pork!

UO Brunch Reunion 2005

IT was great having my first UofO brunch get-together at Joy Luck Palace. From Left: Kenny, Anu, Eurika, Vivi, Amita, Karen, Howie, Mikey, Magid, and 2 other guys I have no idea. The brunch went really well. I wish I could talk to magid longer. He's such an amazing guy.

Emancipation of MC

Going back to the antediluvian day, I was screaming my lungs out singing Mariah's emotions in my bathroom. Every time I sang louder, my brudder would turn his stereo up louder. He probably embarrassed my neighbors would hear my loud voice. Back then, I didn't care what people thought. My mind was set to reach her 5 octaves and performed with her left hand rising up high. Mariah is one of the greatest singers of all time. Recently, her music and appearance just don't quite exulting. Fan or her "lamb" has cringed at her music and behaviors. We all want to see her make a tremendous success come back. Her new album, Emancipation of Mimi, came out today. I listened to her whole album online. I only like 2 songs but I hope the rest will grow on me.

Last night on Letterman's show, she performed "We Belong Together." When she started singing I can feel her pains and passions. I hope this album, she will do good. Despite all her critiques, she's still the bomb. No matter what, Mariah is my gal!

Work Out Conundrum

Morning Dilemma:
I'm trying to adjust my workout time to morning schedule. There are benefits working out early wee morning. You get to burn more calories and fat, work on gym machines without any delay, 30min refreshing cardio and a cup of black tea simply get your day started. I also do an hour upper or lower body before cardio. Morning is great and exciting! But then, when you have to get in the office by 7am, you need to be at the gym by 4:30am. I missed my workout yesterday morning and went later in the evening.

Evening Dilemma:
Best thing of workout at night, you get to take a nap before hitting to the gym. You can spend hours at the gym, mugging and socializing, wait for available equipments, carefree or idyllic spirits, eat dinner and go to bed late. After an energetic workout, you probably won't be able to sleep early. Now, you can surf online, chat, or catch-up your reality TV shows and late night with David Letterman! Yeah right, I'll probably gain then lose weight.

I'm falling off the wagon. Which do you prefer?

Unorthodox Weekend

Recommended:
Workout Machine: Stairmaster 20min/level 10/300 Calories
Tea: Darjeeling choice from Peet's/India Black Tea
Book: Starstruck/written by Michael Joseph Gross

Friday:
I hate the fact that I always go out on Friday nite. Drinking, partying, and eating late night suppers are just some bad habits that I have accustomed to. Last Friday, I made a pledge to turn off my cellphone, unhooked my home phone and not returned any calls. I know the consequences of doing that. My friends are going to bitch at me for anti-social or not able to reach me. I decided to go borders and study my on-going GMAT exams and pick up some magazines or books. Serendipitously, I found a book that I was interested in reading and it's called Starstruck! Startstruck analyzes the dysfunctional relationships developed between celebrity and fan. Why we, fans, like to adore celebrities? Why are we so fascinated by their lifestyles? I mean let's be real. How many times have you come across magazines or gossips rag that talks about famous celebrity. Michael Joseph Gross is a brilliant writer of the book. He tactfully analyzed what was missing in these fans that compelled them to shout, "I love u Christina Aguilera!" I mean my first adolescent concert, I was wearing Paula Abdul's infamous "straight-up" t-shirt. I watched her frenziedly across from the auditorium, hoped to get a glimpse of Paula's moves. Then, when Paula waved at me and looked straight into my face, I strenuously shouted, "I love you, Paula!" and showed off my shirt! Man, I was crazy over her in junior high. Nonetheless, I think Gross is brilliant, intriguing, insightful and honest.

Saturday
It's Saturday night, let's go party! Kristine W was a special guest at club Mezzanine and rumors scattered Tony Moran was spinning that tonight!! Not so fast, I put a halt on this party-animal! So much temptation but I simply had to resist. Instead, my friend Jen and I went down to San Jose hiphop battlefest. It was an annual event organized by bbox entertainment and was held at San Jose State University. The dance groups came out furious, dynamic, vigorous and modish! Thank god I was only there to watch the performance. I remember how nerve necking it was to perform in a sold-out event. Alan Frias from mind over matter hailed this year lifetime achievement award. I didn't know his group has been around for more than 10 years. The winner of this year 2005 battlefest went to Formation. I was hoping they were winning and they did! I thought their performance was extraordinary, brilliant and outstanding. The worst group was from San Jose dance team. I was embarrassed and agonized to see them struggling. I mean I do want to see some chinese/vietnamese adolescents on hiphop dance team. But, that performance was just horrendous. One guy he reminded a high school mate who used to flair out and do a ballet split in the air. eww..

Sunday
After bookstore and dinner out with my friend, David. I decided to stay home, do laundry and go to bed. Not so easy, rite? After all, it was an unorthodox weekend. An hour of watching desperate housewives and 30min of grey's anatomy, here come my friend Chance calling me out. At first, I didn't feel like going but he insisted. Alright, I gave in to him. Man, I was at the bar in Castro sipping my cabernet sauvignon and dancing my head off. Alright, rewind! What were you drinking again? Yes, I said it. I drank wine in the club. It was ludicrous and delirious to ask for wine from the bartender. He was like what? Red or wine? I said cabernet sauvignon of course it was red. I was holding my bubble wine glass making every sip worthwhile. Chance, on the other hand, was making fun of me foolishly. Well, at least I didn't order a $16 long island ice-tea like what I did few weekend ago. Evidentaly, I should be taking shots or liquors not wine in the club. But, liquors would kill my throat the next day! I don’t remember the rest of evening. But, I did remember strip down my pants and took 2 aspirins before I hit the sack.

Monday morning, I woke up a little dizzy and late for work...

News From This Week

Today is the pope John Paul II final papal fareware. I was up late last night watching the funeral not because I wanted to but because I couldn't go to sleep. Watching from my bed, i couldn't believe how many pilgrims showed up for his homage. I heard from news, it was an unprecedented agglomoration in modern history. These people, flocking from around the world, were there to celebrate his 26 years of papacy. In my mind, i thought such great energy and compassion you rarely see now in this world. A man died in great charisma who had contributed so much for the christian world. However, despite to his great teaching and catholicism i dont agree to all his doctrines. The man sure knew how to spur up controversials like abortions, gay rights, western meterialism, women's right to choose and many others. However, I had to give pride to his unwavering chains of events that brought down communism in Europe and his strong withstanding propaganda. My question, had the pope done enough?

I've tried not to believe the biased media says about Michael Jackson, or better known as Jacko nowadays, for his child abused allegations. I always thought maybe jacko is weird or he doesn't know his boundaries how to care for children. You know, like what normal parents or friends would consider inappropriate behaviors but for him it was just another way of caring for children. I mean he was a child that grew up without a normal childhood, right? However, last few days, it struck my mind when I read more about his allegations. I read his formal maid saw him taking shower with boys and locking his bedroom. Yesterday, I read his past guard saw him performed an oral copulation on a 10 year old kid. The guard was later paid to shut his mouth off. I just couldn't belive more and more allegations were engendering against him. My question, if MJ really a pedophile?