19/02/2017
When lies start to be euphemized "alternative facts", how can you trust anything coming from this person and his counsel? What a mess.
20/02/2017
Well, I am not alone. I am with Jonathan Foley.
24/02/2017
How to work with a revolting person in a team environment seems to be the next task I need to practice. Let's just leave it like that.
Saturday 25 February 2017
Saturday 18 February 2017
2017 Weekly - Week 7
12/02/2017
I often think Van Gogh must be one of the most hopelessly romantic souls in the world. This is what he wrote to his brother Theo in 1877:
"Thanks for your letter, which made me so happy. When next we meet we’ll look each other straight in the eye. I sometimes think how wonderful it is that we have the same ground beneath our feet and that we speak the same language."
I often think Van Gogh must be one of the most hopelessly romantic souls in the world. This is what he wrote to his brother Theo in 1877:
"Thanks for your letter, which made me so happy. When next we meet we’ll look each other straight in the eye. I sometimes think how wonderful it is that we have the same ground beneath our feet and that we speak the same language."
Only people who lead a solitary life would understand the beauty and romance to be able to open your eyes in the morning, breath in your first crisp air in Autumn and feel the mud under feet in a rainy day. Just a feeling to be alive is to be treasured, shared and celebrated. Things taken for granted by many of us are no ordinary for people who observe and feel with SETI-like ultra sensitivity.
Everyday can be wonderful, if you want to.
14/02/2017
Happy Valentine's. If you have someone in your life, cherish him/her. If you are still unattached, cherish yourself. Every day is a special day, because it lets us start fresh and also allows us to build on. Which other living being in this world understands that? You do, I am sure, and that makes you special.
16/02/2017
I did four gym sessions this week. A record! I quite enjoy the classes offered by the new fitness instructor. Her classes are HIIT based or energetic aerobics. Whatever the name, it gets my heart pumping and sweat dripping (sorry). I am too lenient on myself when it comes to exercise. I know it. So I decided to be pushed by a professional. Still some muscle pain, yes, but feeling very contented to try something new and to set myself a goal.
14/02/2017
Happy Valentine's. If you have someone in your life, cherish him/her. If you are still unattached, cherish yourself. Every day is a special day, because it lets us start fresh and also allows us to build on. Which other living being in this world understands that? You do, I am sure, and that makes you special.
16/02/2017
I did four gym sessions this week. A record! I quite enjoy the classes offered by the new fitness instructor. Her classes are HIIT based or energetic aerobics. Whatever the name, it gets my heart pumping and sweat dripping (sorry). I am too lenient on myself when it comes to exercise. I know it. So I decided to be pushed by a professional. Still some muscle pain, yes, but feeling very contented to try something new and to set myself a goal.
Saturday 11 February 2017
2017 Weekly - Week 6
06/02/2017
I re-watched The Cider House Rules last weekend. The first time I watched it must be when it first came out in 1999. I watched the second time this year, 18 years later. Many things have happened in my life and in this world. The movie still touches me at many levels, deeper now in my heart. I also felt that I understood better what the author (John Irving) wanted to say which I possibly comprehend 50% of it first time around.
Do we all have to go away in order to appreciate what love is? Yes, definitely. Even though in the end you decide to come back, the journey is worth every minute, every drop of tear and every sound of laughter.
I also understood this time that the "rule" of Cider House Rules is to make your own rule. Don't always feel you have to be constrained with what's around. Be true to yourself, even though it may mean you make mistakes and get hurt. How many "rules" around us are made by people who don't live the same life as us. Until you can in other's shoes, don't jump into conclusion so quickly because things are usually not as they seem. And always have empathy for others because life is beyond-your- imagination-ally intricate. This jumps out to be the central thread linking all characters together.
In the end, the main character goes back to where he left initially, because that's where he's needed. It got me thinking again whether it's better to love or to be loved. I still believe it's better to love because you know your love will be appreciated and well received.
Finally, Michael Caine is one of the best the world has got.
08/02/2017
Maybe I am not dated after all. I've been delving into a new technique starting in February and it's working pretty well at the moment. This led to a nice presentation today. I think everyone understood what I was trying to say. One or two look particularly excited about the new technique. Well, not a bad start work-wise this 2017.
I re-watched The Cider House Rules last weekend. The first time I watched it must be when it first came out in 1999. I watched the second time this year, 18 years later. Many things have happened in my life and in this world. The movie still touches me at many levels, deeper now in my heart. I also felt that I understood better what the author (John Irving) wanted to say which I possibly comprehend 50% of it first time around.
Do we all have to go away in order to appreciate what love is? Yes, definitely. Even though in the end you decide to come back, the journey is worth every minute, every drop of tear and every sound of laughter.
I also understood this time that the "rule" of Cider House Rules is to make your own rule. Don't always feel you have to be constrained with what's around. Be true to yourself, even though it may mean you make mistakes and get hurt. How many "rules" around us are made by people who don't live the same life as us. Until you can in other's shoes, don't jump into conclusion so quickly because things are usually not as they seem. And always have empathy for others because life is beyond-your- imagination-ally intricate. This jumps out to be the central thread linking all characters together.
In the end, the main character goes back to where he left initially, because that's where he's needed. It got me thinking again whether it's better to love or to be loved. I still believe it's better to love because you know your love will be appreciated and well received.
Finally, Michael Caine is one of the best the world has got.
08/02/2017
Maybe I am not dated after all. I've been delving into a new technique starting in February and it's working pretty well at the moment. This led to a nice presentation today. I think everyone understood what I was trying to say. One or two look particularly excited about the new technique. Well, not a bad start work-wise this 2017.
Saturday 4 February 2017
I make - Greek chicken stew with cauliflower and olives
This is the first wow dish of 2017 to celebrate a very deserving day in 2017.
Greek chicken stew with cauliflower and olives (adapted from New York Times)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 to 8 chicken drumsticks and/or thighs
- 2 tablespoons cider/red wine vinegar
- 2 medium sized red onions, chopped
- 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 70 g tomato paste (or use another can of tomatoes)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme, or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup of stock (skipped if using two cans of tomatoes)
- 1 small or 1/2 large cauliflower, cored, broken into florets, and sliced about 1/2 inch thick
- 100-140 g of pitted green olives (or mixed with black)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 to 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a large, deep, heavy lidded skillet or casserole and brown the chicken, skin side down for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, season the flesh side facing up with salt and pepper. Flip the chicken to the other side for another 5 minutes. Remove the pieces to a plate or bowl as they’re golden browned. Pour off the fat from the pan. Add the vinegar to the pan and scrape up all the bits from the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat up to reduce the vinegar to roughly 1 teaspoon.
Add the remaining tablespoon of the olive oil to the pan, and turn the heat down to medium. Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the pan, until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low, cover and let the onion cook for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until it is lightly browned and very soft.
Add the garlic and stir together for a minute or two more, until the garlic is fragrant. If a brown crust starts to develop at the bottom of the pan, deglaze it with a little bit of water and boil off the liquid quickly. Then add the tomato paste, cook for 2 minutes and the canned tomatoes and their juice, the cinnamon, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Pour in one cup of stock and bring to a boil. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the mixture is reduced slightly and fragrant.
Return the chicken pieces to the pot, along with any juices that have accumulated in the bowl. If necessary, add enough water to barely cover the chicken. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes.
In the meantime, blanch the cauliflower pieces in lightly salted water for 3 minutes. Drained and set aside.
Add the cauliflower and olives and simmer for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and the chicken is just about falling off the bone. Stir in the parsley, taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with grains (couscous is great), with the feta sprinkled on top if desired.
Greek chicken stew with cauliflower and olives (adapted from New York Times)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 to 8 chicken drumsticks and/or thighs
- 2 tablespoons cider/red wine vinegar
- 2 medium sized red onions, chopped
- 6-8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 70 g tomato paste (or use another can of tomatoes)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme, or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup of stock (skipped if using two cans of tomatoes)
- 1 small or 1/2 large cauliflower, cored, broken into florets, and sliced about 1/2 inch thick
- 100-140 g of pitted green olives (or mixed with black)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 to 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat in a large, deep, heavy lidded skillet or casserole and brown the chicken, skin side down for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, season the flesh side facing up with salt and pepper. Flip the chicken to the other side for another 5 minutes. Remove the pieces to a plate or bowl as they’re golden browned. Pour off the fat from the pan. Add the vinegar to the pan and scrape up all the bits from the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat up to reduce the vinegar to roughly 1 teaspoon.
Add the remaining tablespoon of the olive oil to the pan, and turn the heat down to medium. Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the pan, until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low, cover and let the onion cook for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until it is lightly browned and very soft.
Add the garlic and stir together for a minute or two more, until the garlic is fragrant. If a brown crust starts to develop at the bottom of the pan, deglaze it with a little bit of water and boil off the liquid quickly. Then add the tomato paste, cook for 2 minutes and the canned tomatoes and their juice, the cinnamon, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Pour in one cup of stock and bring to a boil. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the mixture is reduced slightly and fragrant.
Return the chicken pieces to the pot, along with any juices that have accumulated in the bowl. If necessary, add enough water to barely cover the chicken. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes.
In the meantime, blanch the cauliflower pieces in lightly salted water for 3 minutes. Drained and set aside.
Add the cauliflower and olives and simmer for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and the chicken is just about falling off the bone. Stir in the parsley, taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with grains (couscous is great), with the feta sprinkled on top if desired.
2017 Weekly - Week 5
29/01/2017
I must be the only person in the world who sucks at brownie making. It's either too dry or under baked. Whether it's using cocoa powder only, chocolate chunks only or a mixture, they all seem to flop in my hands (well, only 20% ok rate). I really have no idea why chocolate brownies are so hard to crack?! We/I have eaten so much failed products that I want to scream (I am sure hubby feels the same but too polite to do so)!
01/02/2017
This is it, the last hope for this country to avert the course of the inevitable is quashed by our dearly beloved MPs today on the 1st of February, 2017. The so-called opposition didn't even put up a flight. I am more serious than ever about moving to Scotland!
It is purely a coincidence that I happened to renew my passport (or allegiance to the Queen?) today on the 1st of Feb, only to discover one of the dreadful news.
Speaking of dreadful, I hate reading news now ever since the new US president moved into the office. This is the very first time I can say without any regret that I am outta there. Sometimes to move forward, we have to go back a few steps, many wise men and women before me have said that. Yes, that's very true, same for many things in life. I can only console myself with that and believe that tomorrow will be better.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” ~Albert Einstein
I must be the only person in the world who sucks at brownie making. It's either too dry or under baked. Whether it's using cocoa powder only, chocolate chunks only or a mixture, they all seem to flop in my hands (well, only 20% ok rate). I really have no idea why chocolate brownies are so hard to crack?! We/I have eaten so much failed products that I want to scream (I am sure hubby feels the same but too polite to do so)!
01/02/2017
This is it, the last hope for this country to avert the course of the inevitable is quashed by our dearly beloved MPs today on the 1st of February, 2017. The so-called opposition didn't even put up a flight. I am more serious than ever about moving to Scotland!
It is purely a coincidence that I happened to renew my passport (or allegiance to the Queen?) today on the 1st of Feb, only to discover one of the dreadful news.
Speaking of dreadful, I hate reading news now ever since the new US president moved into the office. This is the very first time I can say without any regret that I am outta there. Sometimes to move forward, we have to go back a few steps, many wise men and women before me have said that. Yes, that's very true, same for many things in life. I can only console myself with that and believe that tomorrow will be better.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” ~Albert Einstein
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