Food names

This entry is for my own (and perhaps) some of your educational purposes on certain food terms. Just in case we might encounter this on food menus.

All courtesy of a very good and knowledgeable friend, GG. And seriously, the idea of this entry and the future ones to come stem from the numerous eclectic discussions that CT, GG and I always have, online or offline. Haha, such fun indeed =)

WORD NUMBER 1: quinoa (pronunciation)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa
- it's like wheat
- there are quinoa muffins
- very peruvian
- supposedly the next in-thing: chia seeds... because of their superb nutritional value... Not sure if it's overrated

http://cleananddelicious.com/2008/02/06/quinoa_muffins/

WORD NUMBER 2: coq au vin (pronunciation)
-  a classic French cuisine
- essentially chicken with red wine
- complete with sides - pearl onions, mushrooms, petit pois, and parsleyed noodles
- Julia Child's recipe is very good
- good with souffles (pron) as dessert

http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/France/Cistercian%20France/Pontigny/Pontigny.htm

Recruiting weekend

I have never done a recruiting weekend before. This was something that bugged me as well. Like international students were not always invited I guess. There were 14 prospective students for this year from all over US. I volunteered to go for the GYPSCY event and the dinner at Geronimo's (which according to Emm serves southwestern American cuisine - nachos and bean-based).

It turned out I was seated in between 2 of the prospectives at Geronimo's. Probably they were tired, because they didn't seem very interactive at first. I didn't know how to continue a conversation that involves minimal input from the opposite end. Thank goodness Emm and Bec were sitting nearby and we were all kind of drawn to their conversations. Emm and Bec are really good at chatting. I have long acknowledged that I probably will not master the art of schmoozing during this lifetime, but I thought I might have improved just a teeny little bit since I arrived in the US. Apparently that tad bit wasn't measuring up to the expectations of the occasion, what with exhausted minds and an inept schmoozer LOLX.

Maybe I was tired too, talking without thinking much. Some of my worst articulation yet. But well, I get affected by the vibes of the circumstances pretty easily... Excuses? Probably. Still, I will like to think the night was surprisingly a more retrospectively-fulfilling night of self-discovery, than it was when I was there, and seeing everybody engage in vivacious conversations, while I am struggling to keep myself rooted to that chair.

I also felt a little sensitive to the fact that every time I mention to some people (let me emphasize, NOT all, just some) I am from Singapore, there is this momentary hesitation on the other side of the conversation. Brief but palpable. Like perhaps they were hoping I am from some God-forsaken corner in the US with some undiscovered mixed accent and not some non-US Asian ("alien" as they call non-residents in legal lingo). I swear I can literally hear a "click" sound in the background when they made that connection between "accent" and "Asian". Haha. A little touchy there, self-deprecating even, but I ought to be at peace with and rise above such things now, after some (again, it's SOME, and I really like Germany alot) ordeals I had in Germany. *lame J*

Will love to know the people a little more, not only the new people but the old acquaintances at the table as well. But I guess sometimes, it takes more than just mere talking to get connected.

The food at Geronimo's was cool though. The desserts were pretty interesting - a spicy chocolate (from chipotle) and lime tequila tarts. Next time can probably bring XL to that side of town for some nice fancy restaurants.

Exciting life

It actually might not be apparent from all my complaints, and talking about how busy life is now, but I really am feeling (unexpectedly) exhilarated about even the uncertainties of the future. Maybe, but despite the routine classes, I manage to find something that puts me into certain perspective and something that keeps me going. I wouldn't want to deny the fact that it gets difficult sometimes, but somehow, I begin to appreciate some small things around me, amidst rushing =)

The little bear that I wish good night every single night =)

Anyway, complaining actually lets off some steam, to keep balance LOLX. Self-justification ehz haha.

This is probably really way overdue. But we held on an impromptu birthday dinner for G, at this bar-restaurant down at East Rock, Archie Moore's. D, V, and a new friend De, were there to chill out after weeks of slogging, an evening of relaxation and mundane chatters. Hopefully we will have more chances for such chillouts in future, because I have come to understand the term "affinity" a little better now. So illogical, but so human...



人与人之间微妙的“关系”。。就像《翼》：“...（要改变命运）就要付出同等的代价。黑刚的宝剑，法尹的魔法。。接下来，我要的是你和她之间的关系。。。即使她醒过来，联系你们之间的关系已消失， 难道这样也无所谓吗？” 关系虽已不存在，但情感还在吧。关系不是因为情感的羁绊而存在吗？无所谓，能够看到她的笑容，才是最重要的。

Some people probably wouldn't believe if I said I actually find the "Twilight" trilogy an enjoyable read =)

Miya's

It's mid-autumn festival. The moon is still round on the other side of the globe...

Last Saturday, I met up with a postdoc from AP's lab (a structural biology lab), DH. He is from China but he studied at NTU in Singapore, and before I came over Yale, he willingly helped me with some questions. Extremely helpful and friendly =). He even picked the tab for my lunch that day!! Thank you so much!! It was then I also realised he just arrived in May this year too!! Hmmm, I do not know what you guys think, doesn't DH look like a Japanese?

So, having not tried the famed Miya's restaurant, we decided to hop on down there for lunch. Miya's restaurant is a fusion sushi restaurant, that is supposedly the best in Connecticut and the third best in the whole of USA. But alas, I have come to doubt the subjectivity of the American taste in the face of Asian cuisine, so I have decided to try it myself, dragging DH along with me...

Miya's is located on Howe's Street in New Haven, sequestered away in a quiet neighborhood, just a stone's throw from Broadway. Fortunately, we came early for lunch, there was no queue. One side of the restaurant seemed to be booked for photoshoot though! Anyway, the waiters were all very nice and helpful and that particular one (in the pic) who served us had a good grasp of all the ingredients of the sushi. I was impressed indeed, because all the sushi, are fusion, and definitely not made up of minimal or the normal ingredients, like the ones in Singapore, or those authentic from Japan (which I haven't tried).


Pumpkin soup on the house

We couldn't make up our mind, so we ordered each a palette of sushis that showcase the different array of sushis they have: funkily called "a very hungry inch worm" and "bleu plate especial". BTW, they all have funky names which I couldn't remember LOLX. Taste-wise, not all tinkled my tastebuds the right way: there was the chocolate one which I thought should taste better without the soya-sauce-taste (I am not a big fan). I have tried the sweet potato one, which just isn't my cup of tea. But I am thrilled over the sushi with a tart crust surrounding the rice. It's not like the sushi is sitting in it, but the crust is part of the sushi. That tasted exquisite and exotic, for a sushi lover like me. One common thing I observed, was that they stuffed lots of things into each sushi; at least 3 or 4 ingredients in one single sushi, which is definitely something rare or even unheard of in Singapore. So the next time you guys come over to New Haven, and are looking for some taste-bud adventure, try Miya's sushi delight. You would be in for both surprises and disappointments, but that's how adventures work, isn't it?

The eventful first week of September

As life propelled into the the school year full steam, I feel myself leaving lots of memories behind without really sorting them out and looking at them a second time. As D aptly put it, "discombobulation" =) I am heeding G's advice and putting DMV behind (at least until I got all the necessary stuff) and plunging head-first (bad position) into assignments, presentations and lab rotations (which I haven't really decided)... (For more pics, go facebook)

Fall semester officially started on the 1st Sept. Like NUS, they have a "shopping" period, but unlike NUS, you actually get to add the course information to your schedule (or an IVLE equivalent - classes*v2) first, then when you have finally decided, just drop those courses you do not want. The final decision has to be sent to your prof-in-charge via another enrolment webpage. So you have the status of a "shopper" for 2 weeks, till 15th Sept - hence my hectic shopping list. In the end, I ended up with 2.5 courses, and auditing for one more. The other difference is the idea of auditing, in which you are labeled an "auditor", appears in your transcript but not graded. So it depends on the lecturer how much she/he wants you to participate. I think this is a damn cool feature! But I don't like the fact you have to register on 2 sites instead of a combined one - it makes things very confusing sometimes, and somewhat lacks organization.

Our CBB seniors also gave us a treat at C's place. His place is gorgeous!! But probably pricey too... New Haven is said to be famous for its pizzas and hamburgers, Miya's Sushi. So we had pizzas during the senior-treat-junior session. And boy, our seniors can really talk... The whole discussion about profs, labs and courses were mainly dominated by them but it was REALLY informative =) and funny (especially those parts about some of the pet peeves and the behaviour of profs LOLX)... And I realised, all of them have a very strong rapport and camaraderie forged; no matter which year they are from. And... I do envy that... Hopefully, we will grow to become like that too.

Saturday afternoon was spent at touring New Haven and spending some time at balmy and green East Rock Park. It's called East Rock, literally because it is a park on a rock that is formed in the eastern side of New Haven... This is the first time I am there, and I took a liking for it immediately. From East Rock Park, you could see almost the whole of New Haven. People were picnicking and frolicking in the meadowlike greens. Nice weather too, despite Hurricane Earl.

Before my next appointment, I had some time in between. So I decided to sit down at some cafe and do people-watching (or being watched -_-|||). Blue State Coffee cafe's coffee machines ALL broke down... Win liaoz lo... So, I decided to try Ashley's ice cream, claimed to be the best in Connecticut. It wasn't too bad, just that I find the butterscotch too sweet for me. XL might like the ice cream though =)

Saturday evening was with the MASA (Malaysian And Singaporean Association) at Basil Restaurant, which is this Asian restaurant near Broadway. I didn't know there were so many Singaporeans and Malaysians at Yale!! Almost the entire restaurant was filled! Apparently this is the first time there is such a large turnout. Most of them, are undergrads and professional school students. I really like that fact that I get to speak Singlish again haha. Also what I like most about the interactions, is that there are really lots of interesting stories to listen to. So hopefully we will meet again =)

And that was the first time I took the night shuttle back to my apartment; they actually bring you straight back to your apartment from any point in campus. Refreshing experience.

Trivia

Today is a really slack day for me despite a Monday. LOLX. Cos I am on leave.

For once in a very long time, I was left alone ("ditched" by my gf and parents and aunt) to fend for my own dinner. No idea why, wanted something fried. So well, decided to try KFC, which although I know at the back of mind, it's pathetically non-value-for-money. Shrugs. Sometimes, people just do irrational things.

Finished everything in 15 minutes. *burp*

after the run

we're at ion noch ein mal. Jams cafe in prologue was not bad. the chocolate banana meringue was good :)

Little Part 1

Birthday surprise!

Ok it's that time of the year again, where you officially get one year older and people starts calling you the "late-twenties club member". But more importantly for me, for the first time, I am really starting to feel the weight of growing up - responsibilities.

I think stepping into the working world has that effect on people. Especially when you are the sole breadwinner of the family now. Some people realised this slower than others - the late bloomers, there are some others who have always known - the mature ones - and there are some who chose not to know - the oblivious. Whatever the case (I think I belong to the slower cohort LOLX), time just dons responsibilities on you. Like clothes. You either try to fit into it, or you burst it and then u realise u r barenaked. And then u either go on to try something new or u cower in embarrassment.

Other than responsibilities, I think there is something call prioritization. And it means when u have an astronomically long list of responsibilities, you start by sorting which one is more important, sometimes not in the practical sense. And to me, that is not something innate. But sometimes, the order can change according to the scenarios and acclimatization then sets in to work. So then you have to do change accommodation.

Big words? Well, I guess that's part of growing up too, you start learning huge jargons..

-------------------------------------------------------------

SO, 26 years later, on this day that I was born, I had chosen to go to the office, instead of taking leave (prioritization at work), and nobody else at work seems to realise this is my birthday (except for a few), so I kept mum (acclimatization).

Anyway, trivialities aside, this year's birthday is exceptionally special cos I am spending it with my dearie for the first time. She really did pounce multiple surprises on me, like swept me off the ground kind, on a number of occasions: from the flowers at work, to the surprise dinner (absolutelyhaven@prinsep), to the surprise cake, to the card and she drove me home. All done despite the fact that she was feeling unwell.

To my sweet dearie, I am beyond words. I can only say, I totally appreciate it more than anything, and the anticipation and happiness of the day itself (it started right from morning) would have to be the best present that I ever received. Thank you, sweetie. =P

And please, do get well soon.



And to all good friends out there, thank you as well.

So viele Dinge zu tun!!

Amazingly, that was not a complaint!!

I have so many things to do!

1) FYP fYP Fyp and more Fyp -> probably this takes up 60% of my life as of now
2) the omnipresence of homework -> Java programming, German Hausaufgaben, projects
3) then there are shows to watch: Hairspray, I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry, new Hong Kong show 酒店风云, then there's the new movie 27 Dresses;

4) then there's the meetings-up; which are amazing because even at this point of the semester, I am meeting up with people. Normal sems, very unlikely. So I would say this is a weird sem;

5) then there's my exercise, which is BECOMING an addiction -> sounds good; we got badminton on Fri, all personnel involved, please remember to bring equipment

6) looking for jobs;
7) planning grad trip;
8) editing resume;
9) of course there's Chinese New Year!!
10) practise German
11) graduating -> excited about wearing the mortarboard and the gown?!?

Oh, oddly enough, I am kindda looking forward to CNY, not only because I might be going Kbox (NO, this is not the total reason, despite popular belief, N-O) *amidst munching pineapple tarts*
Currently now, I am trying to think up new year resolutions and goals amidst these maelstrom of stuff...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally, again, I am in control and I think I am getting excited wherever life is bringing me to, even though I have no idea where :P. Well, that's the leap of faith thingy and the 'behind the chocolate box' thingy.

Did you know there is actually someone who never heard of "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get"? Most peculiar allerdings.