我住台灣的時候 常常有人問我 美國的生活是怎麼樣 . 最常被問的含 : "你們不是每天都吃pizza跟漢堡嗎 ?" 與 "你們那裡的房子都像美國電視節目上看到的一樣那麼大嗎?"
我就是來給你們一個小peek進去我們美國這裡的生活 . 我在這個部落格會波影片, 照片, 小故事 (講真的發生過的事情) , local新聞, 食譜, 等等 . 歡迎你們來瀏覽一下 !
先講一聲~ 我目前住在夏威夷, 這裡的生活還有一些文化特色跟美國的傳統有一點不一樣 . 假如內容碰到這一些差別的話 , 我會跟你們講 !
你們的問題和興趣是這個部落格的靈感 . 有任何想看什麼的 , 根我講一聲吧!
很希望你們會享受這裡波的東西 .
Aloha!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Bitter melon
After waiting two years and two and a half months, I got to be a part of one of my favorite things on earth: BBQ with Hawaiian family. The main reason is getting to be completely surrounded by family- cousins, cousins kids running around or playing in the pool, auntie and uncle hanging by the grill and keeping all in line. Family is one of THE things I miss most when in Taiwan, and when I'm there with all of them, it's like my soul is finally able to be filled of something it was meant to have and went way too long without. The second aspect: the FOOD. Mind you, everyone thinks they make the best bar-b-que, but not everyone has Hawaiian relatives. We won't blame them for what they don't know. My islander family knows how to eat. I cannot remember one instance of leaving their presence in any state other than completely full of delicious food. The regular menu for BBQ includes grilled steak, chicken, char su chicken, grilled pork, fried wonton (stuffed by Auntie and fried by cousin), salted shrimp (very fresh Hawaiian shrimp, they even come with grass skirts..jk), poki (seasoned raw fish- very good stuff), rice, potatoe salad, and whatever cakes, desserts and snacks everybody else throws in.
After putting in some time in the pool, I sat and listened to my cousins "talk story" with my aunt and her sister. I heard my name from where my uncle and the other uncle, Uncle Ed, were talking, and got up to talk with them. That was the first time I'd met Uncle Ed (he's my uncle's brother-in-law), at least that I remember (he'd probably seen me when I was a kid, but both of us had forgotten). What started out as me answering his questions about what I did in Taiwan turned into a conversation I won't forget. We talked about the simplicity of life, how good life is when it's devoid of the distractions of over-convenience and fast paced. Thankfully, I've gotten to live in a place that has yet to give way to modernized chaos and materialism, demands to keep up with the rest of the world. People still know everybody in their community, family sticks together and friends help each other out. He told me how life was in his younger years (at least 40 years ago), how Hawaiians had worked hard and lived off of their own hard work. When he recollected working at the pineapple plantation , he paused to look over at Auntie Sandy, who was still talking it up with the other women. A gleam came to his eyes, and a smile spread across his face. "That's where I met her." I listened as he continued on about how life was, and how new rennovations to the islands were stealing away from the local community and economy. Seems like modernization in the islands was promised to be "good" for the community, yet the profits of it tend to get lost somewhere in the investors' bank accounts.
And bitter melons? Thanks to Uncle Ed I am well educated on the health benefits of bitter melon, and how to cook them. "Just slice them up real small, yeah. And den add some really din slices of beef and cook it with da peppers and lemon juice. You know it smooths out da bitter taste, yeah. If dey ever found a super food, it would be bitter melon."
The conversation ended, and on a happy note. It still makes me smile when I think of it. "You know Hawaiians, we like da kine simple life..."
After putting in some time in the pool, I sat and listened to my cousins "talk story" with my aunt and her sister. I heard my name from where my uncle and the other uncle, Uncle Ed, were talking, and got up to talk with them. That was the first time I'd met Uncle Ed (he's my uncle's brother-in-law), at least that I remember (he'd probably seen me when I was a kid, but both of us had forgotten). What started out as me answering his questions about what I did in Taiwan turned into a conversation I won't forget. We talked about the simplicity of life, how good life is when it's devoid of the distractions of over-convenience and fast paced. Thankfully, I've gotten to live in a place that has yet to give way to modernized chaos and materialism, demands to keep up with the rest of the world. People still know everybody in their community, family sticks together and friends help each other out. He told me how life was in his younger years (at least 40 years ago), how Hawaiians had worked hard and lived off of their own hard work. When he recollected working at the pineapple plantation , he paused to look over at Auntie Sandy, who was still talking it up with the other women. A gleam came to his eyes, and a smile spread across his face. "That's where I met her." I listened as he continued on about how life was, and how new rennovations to the islands were stealing away from the local community and economy. Seems like modernization in the islands was promised to be "good" for the community, yet the profits of it tend to get lost somewhere in the investors' bank accounts.
And bitter melons? Thanks to Uncle Ed I am well educated on the health benefits of bitter melon, and how to cook them. "Just slice them up real small, yeah. And den add some really din slices of beef and cook it with da peppers and lemon juice. You know it smooths out da bitter taste, yeah. If dey ever found a super food, it would be bitter melon."
The conversation ended, and on a happy note. It still makes me smile when I think of it. "You know Hawaiians, we like da kine simple life..."
Bounce back.
I thought it was age that caused it. Maybe it started with the cheese stick and sweetart binge I went on when life starting throwing emotional curves I wasn't prepared for. Stress probably contributed. Put together on a list, the physical problems I've dealt with over the past year look like a checklist of stress symptoms, from minor to severe. Seriously depressing.
It seemed like my ability to "bounce back," whether it be muscles from a good workout or one too many late nights in one week, had slowed down. So not me. I may not be invincible, but I can get pretty close.
Looking back at how life was before the problems surfaced the most consistent characteristics of daily habit were: daily exercise (swimming for 30min. a day, 4-5 days a week plus skating, gym, etc.), sleeping early (8-9 hours per night, cutting out computer and other unimportant things for it), and eating well (pasta, veggies, less meat, fish and sushi, occasional treats, eating ENOUGH but better foods).
Am trying that again this summer, but adding harder cardio, cutting caffeine (ha, it'll cut my budget down, too), and eating fruits. I hate fruits, but they're healthy and feel good to eat in hot weather.
What I want to eat more of:
tomoatoes
broccoli
greens
seasonal fruits
bitter melon
grains (tsampa!)
soups
green tea
So posting this was more or less because I was too lazy to find paper to write my ideas down. Any thoughts of your own?
It seemed like my ability to "bounce back," whether it be muscles from a good workout or one too many late nights in one week, had slowed down. So not me. I may not be invincible, but I can get pretty close.
Looking back at how life was before the problems surfaced the most consistent characteristics of daily habit were: daily exercise (swimming for 30min. a day, 4-5 days a week plus skating, gym, etc.), sleeping early (8-9 hours per night, cutting out computer and other unimportant things for it), and eating well (pasta, veggies, less meat, fish and sushi, occasional treats, eating ENOUGH but better foods).
Am trying that again this summer, but adding harder cardio, cutting caffeine (ha, it'll cut my budget down, too), and eating fruits. I hate fruits, but they're healthy and feel good to eat in hot weather.
What I want to eat more of:
tomoatoes
broccoli
greens
seasonal fruits
bitter melon
grains (tsampa!)
soups
green tea
So posting this was more or less because I was too lazy to find paper to write my ideas down. Any thoughts of your own?
Saturday, June 26, 2010
cycle of life
we had church at the "zoo" today. actually, it was the livestock research center. coincidentally, it's also the worst smelling place on the island. being the center's 50th anniversary, it was bustling with families and small children who came to enjoy the animal smells and icecream. after waving flies away for about an hour, church ended and the bbq started. menu? ostrich. the very animal that haunts the memory of my experience the last time we visited, besides the monkey that almost ripped my friend's ear off.
it was my first time to try ostrich meat. i couldn't get past the mental image of the bird itself, much less the sour flavor and beef-jerkey texture. i ate two bites- which took a total of ten minutes to chew, then handed the rest of my sandwich to my dad, who thought it was beef and enjoyed it. the bbq sauce an american girl had made and brought made the food worth eating, and dad was lucky enough to get a promise of a recipe from her.
they had turkeys there. i had no idea- for the past 6 Thanksgivings that we've been here, that there were turkeys so close. since locals rarely take a part in Thanksgiving celebrations with us, it can be safely assumed that we are in little danger of being found out if we steal a turkey for the next one. the thought crossed my mind. what else are turkeys made for, anyway? we are just a tool in helping them fulfill their life's destiny. not to mention they taste good with gravy and mashed potatoes.
i wonder what the next Thanksgiving will be like. maybe i will celebrate with the people i'll live with in Taipei, or perhaps come home, since i'd have more time to come back without the stress of HAVING to be in class all the time or missing major grade-affecting assignments. i would be happy if i never see the inside of a university-degree program class again. people always tell me that student life is so easy, and working life is much harder. i've worked before, and i've always preferred working to studying. sitting at a desk and spending all the time on my own brain instead of working with people? not my cup of tea, which in other people's opinions, seems to be half-brewed. i get annoyed with that. i am almost twenty-five years old. i know what i'm doing. i don't want to make loads of money (although it wouldn't hurt), i don't want to be in a high-ranking postition (that would hurt), i want to find something i can do and enjoy doing it. i know way too many people who love their job and the people they work with than to think i should take the first thing handed me or merely settle for a salary.
most people are not in that idealistic situation, and for some it is their own fault for not trying. because they COULD do it, but the risk is more than they can emotionally or financially deal with. or they think they could just do something because they enjoy it, not taking the time to develop the actual, meticulous skills necessary for the trade. and that is their fault. but just since they have a real salary to support their misery does not mean one should listen to their petty advice.
personal theory: look for people who you want to end up like. and take THEIR advice.
all others, the miserable ones that assume misery is an unescapable fact of life will only be able to advise in the ways that lead to where they are in life. do you want to end up like them?
i think there's always another option. the number of jobless people is lowering because of the falling economy (at least in current times). bums and hippies are usually so by choice. the people without any options are the ones who refuse to look for options. the ones who look and never find anything are the ones who refuse to SEE. the ones who see and still don't do anything are incompetent and lazy (stupid).
maybe success depends on one's definition of success. maybe some people are just better about taking whatever they do or happens and making it into something valuable.
it was my first time to try ostrich meat. i couldn't get past the mental image of the bird itself, much less the sour flavor and beef-jerkey texture. i ate two bites- which took a total of ten minutes to chew, then handed the rest of my sandwich to my dad, who thought it was beef and enjoyed it. the bbq sauce an american girl had made and brought made the food worth eating, and dad was lucky enough to get a promise of a recipe from her.
they had turkeys there. i had no idea- for the past 6 Thanksgivings that we've been here, that there were turkeys so close. since locals rarely take a part in Thanksgiving celebrations with us, it can be safely assumed that we are in little danger of being found out if we steal a turkey for the next one. the thought crossed my mind. what else are turkeys made for, anyway? we are just a tool in helping them fulfill their life's destiny. not to mention they taste good with gravy and mashed potatoes.
i wonder what the next Thanksgiving will be like. maybe i will celebrate with the people i'll live with in Taipei, or perhaps come home, since i'd have more time to come back without the stress of HAVING to be in class all the time or missing major grade-affecting assignments. i would be happy if i never see the inside of a university-degree program class again. people always tell me that student life is so easy, and working life is much harder. i've worked before, and i've always preferred working to studying. sitting at a desk and spending all the time on my own brain instead of working with people? not my cup of tea, which in other people's opinions, seems to be half-brewed. i get annoyed with that. i am almost twenty-five years old. i know what i'm doing. i don't want to make loads of money (although it wouldn't hurt), i don't want to be in a high-ranking postition (that would hurt), i want to find something i can do and enjoy doing it. i know way too many people who love their job and the people they work with than to think i should take the first thing handed me or merely settle for a salary.
most people are not in that idealistic situation, and for some it is their own fault for not trying. because they COULD do it, but the risk is more than they can emotionally or financially deal with. or they think they could just do something because they enjoy it, not taking the time to develop the actual, meticulous skills necessary for the trade. and that is their fault. but just since they have a real salary to support their misery does not mean one should listen to their petty advice.
personal theory: look for people who you want to end up like. and take THEIR advice.
all others, the miserable ones that assume misery is an unescapable fact of life will only be able to advise in the ways that lead to where they are in life. do you want to end up like them?
i think there's always another option. the number of jobless people is lowering because of the falling economy (at least in current times). bums and hippies are usually so by choice. the people without any options are the ones who refuse to look for options. the ones who look and never find anything are the ones who refuse to SEE. the ones who see and still don't do anything are incompetent and lazy (stupid).
maybe success depends on one's definition of success. maybe some people are just better about taking whatever they do or happens and making it into something valuable.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
new year
*edit*
quote of the year:
"The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating – in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."
~ Anne Morriss, The way I see it #76
i am currently parked on the couch watching Phineas and Ferb with Benj. it's great. even though it is the third time through the movie.
so most people like to write resolutions. i'm not into the resolution thing. so i made a to-do list in its stead. not really high priority stuff, but definitely more enriching of daily life if i do them.
- improve Chinese (not an option, it is a must)
- learn Chinese calligraphy.
- buy a surfboard.
- learn to skateboard.
- listen to the Beatles.
i also decided that i want to be a bartender. it's a cool thought, at least. that's been on my mind for a while. maybe i should just start playing around with things for fun. or maybe i'll just stick with foods, it's way cheaper.
pizza is done. dinner is therefore ready. :)
quote of the year:
"The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating – in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life."
~ Anne Morriss, The way I see it #76
i am currently parked on the couch watching Phineas and Ferb with Benj. it's great. even though it is the third time through the movie.
so most people like to write resolutions. i'm not into the resolution thing. so i made a to-do list in its stead. not really high priority stuff, but definitely more enriching of daily life if i do them.
- improve Chinese (not an option, it is a must)
- learn Chinese calligraphy.
- buy a surfboard.
- learn to skateboard.
- listen to the Beatles.
i also decided that i want to be a bartender. it's a cool thought, at least. that's been on my mind for a while. maybe i should just start playing around with things for fun. or maybe i'll just stick with foods, it's way cheaper.
pizza is done. dinner is therefore ready. :)
Monday, December 21, 2009
hypothermia: subnormal temperature of the body due to prolonged exposure to cold.
outside temp: 14 C / 56 F
water temp: 21 C / 69 F
distance: 1000m.
time: a lot faster than normal.
I got in the pool, noting the icy feeling of the water as I stepped off the ladder. Usually this is where I stand at the end of the pool anticipating the rush of blood and whatever else it is that goes from my toes and shoots towards my head, providing an instant wake up. Cold is normal. The rush is normal. Not lingering to feel the complete whoosh of the rush, I dove under and started the first lap. I got halfway across the pool and instead of being cold, I actually couldn't feel anything, which of course was like a false sense of warm. That feeling didn't last long. Swimming with goosebumps for the first 400 meters is normal. Swimming 800 meters with goosebumps and still freezing is not. The 9th lap felt great. The last lap I was praying I wouldn't black out. Or whatever happens when you swim too fast for too long and are freezing your toes off in very cold water for nearly a half hour straight.
Despite the sudden strange feeling of calmness and blurry feeling I got at the last lap, it felt great. In a very wake-upish and "wow, I didn't know I could swim that fast" kind of way.
Whatever people say about the water "feeling warmer if you keep moving" lost its validity. If what people say about the colder the water temp, the higher your oxygen intake...and the more oxygen intake, the smarter you'll be....then I should be a genius by sundown.
result: a high kind of buzz that should last at least through the morning.
reward: free hot shower.
water temp: 21 C / 69 F
distance: 1000m.
time: a lot faster than normal.
I got in the pool, noting the icy feeling of the water as I stepped off the ladder. Usually this is where I stand at the end of the pool anticipating the rush of blood and whatever else it is that goes from my toes and shoots towards my head, providing an instant wake up. Cold is normal. The rush is normal. Not lingering to feel the complete whoosh of the rush, I dove under and started the first lap. I got halfway across the pool and instead of being cold, I actually couldn't feel anything, which of course was like a false sense of warm. That feeling didn't last long. Swimming with goosebumps for the first 400 meters is normal. Swimming 800 meters with goosebumps and still freezing is not. The 9th lap felt great. The last lap I was praying I wouldn't black out. Or whatever happens when you swim too fast for too long and are freezing your toes off in very cold water for nearly a half hour straight.
Despite the sudden strange feeling of calmness and blurry feeling I got at the last lap, it felt great. In a very wake-upish and "wow, I didn't know I could swim that fast" kind of way.
Whatever people say about the water "feeling warmer if you keep moving" lost its validity. If what people say about the colder the water temp, the higher your oxygen intake...and the more oxygen intake, the smarter you'll be....then I should be a genius by sundown.
result: a high kind of buzz that should last at least through the morning.
reward: free hot shower.
Monday, October 12, 2009
skyless clouds
Sunday afternoon, I hopped the train into Taipei. Train rides always provide some entertaining means of people watching. This time the object of my attention was on a young kid, maybe 3ish, kneeling on the seat, face gazing at the blur of scenery out the window. I loved watching the kid. He was doing exactly what I would have been doing if it were my seat. What made him the most fun to watch was the occasional high-pitched hiccups that escaped his mouth, shaking his shoulders. It never phased him a bit, but cracked me up. His mom was abnormally cool. She talked, sang and played with him the whole trip, instead of constantly shushing him up, worried about what others would think. No, she began a song, then listened- and sang along- as the kid jumped in and completed the tune. It was cute. It made me miss my sister and nephew. I love watching people who interact WITH their children. My sister is amazing at that. I got off the train smiling.
I miss being around kids. A LOT. I even miss inevitably having to be "it" in every game of chase with giggling 3rd graders. Good times. :)
I fixed my skates. :):):) And officially know how to take them apart and do the necessary maintenance measures myself. With an IKEA furniture tool. Thanks to Dad for showing me how to do it when I was a kid. He is always good at showing us how to fix things. Like walls, toilets and cars.
Next week, am hoping to get out to the beach. We'll see. For some reason, I'm really excited about it. And feel sudden motivation to get studying done before then.
I miss being around kids. A LOT. I even miss inevitably having to be "it" in every game of chase with giggling 3rd graders. Good times. :)
I fixed my skates. :):):) And officially know how to take them apart and do the necessary maintenance measures myself. With an IKEA furniture tool. Thanks to Dad for showing me how to do it when I was a kid. He is always good at showing us how to fix things. Like walls, toilets and cars.
Next week, am hoping to get out to the beach. We'll see. For some reason, I'm really excited about it. And feel sudden motivation to get studying done before then.
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