on my head...

As the wisps of breath escape my mouth I can see them.  What happened to autumn?!?  Just last week it was in the 90's and now it feels like it's time to break out the thermals and hunting socks.  One good thing though, it's cool enough to start wearing hats.  And thanks to having such a small head I'm able to wear most anything...even kids sizes :)

Charlotte graciously poses

I was so torn between this one and the penguin.  My rationale was the penguin would go with more since it was black and white.  Then again, if I were truly worried about coordinating my outfits I wouldn't have been looking at this to start with.  So in the end purple won out.  I like hat.

on an adventure...Stone Bowl House

Today has been a great day.  I was able to shake off that cabin fever feeling by taking a little road trip.  The purpose of the trip-acquire and consume some good Korean food.  I had looked up some places online last night (in hopes hubby would feel up to a 2+ hour drive after a long, hard day's work) but that was a no go.  So by 10:00 am this morning his boss still hadn't called him in to work so off we went!  YAY!!!  ROAD TRIP!!!

Two hours later and after a couple of miss-stops (I had forgotten which restaurant we were going to) Carmen (hubby's GPS) informs us we have arrived at our destination.  Yes, I drove two hours for Korean food.  The other option was eight hours away and hubby is not quite up for that yet.

Woo Nam Jeong Stone Bowl House

My mouth is excited.  My stomach is growling in anticipation.  On the way in hubby noticed the sign on the door and actually stopped to read it.

It says "Beginning April 2010 we will be closed every Wednesday.  Grandma needs a break.  Sorry, for the inconvenience."  For those of you that have not been to a Korean restaurant, the really good ones ALWAYS have a little old woman that stands about 4'2" and is know as "Hal-mo-nee" Grandmother.

As an adventuress I am quite happy to jump in the car and head off to parts unknown without so much as consulting Dr. Google for directions.  Sometimes I even remember to check how much gas I have in the tank before getting on the interstate.  When it comes to Korean food though I tend to stick with what I know.  This pales in comparison to hubby's selections which even I have a hard time figuring out what they are let alone how to pronounce them to order it.  On that he definitely has me beat.

Appetizer choices are either mandu ("maan-doo" = Korean dumpling, similar to gyoza but not to be confused with wontons) or kimbap ("keem-baap" = the Korean version of a sushi roll but with nothing raw and usually has cooked beef in it).  Torn as always I went with the one I haven't been brave enough to make at home.

"Kimbap" = happiness in roll form

My normal order is daeji bulgogi ("deh-gee bool-go-gee" = pork marinated in a spicy sauce then grilled).  This has never failed to please me.  Being in a extremely good mood and wanting to turn over a new leaf in my life I go with something a little different but still a fond part of my childhood.  I boldly order the Godenguh Gui (you're on your own on that one for pronouncing = salted broiled mackerel).  The waitress looks at me and asks, "You know what that is?"  and I nod and respond "Oh yes!"  Hubby does his usual point at the menu "I want that please" (and oddly enough the waitress doesn't question his choice).

For those that have never experienced Korean food let me elaborate for it truly is an experience of all the senses.  It is as much about color and texture as it is flavor.  There really is no comparison to any other oriental cuisine.  My personal feelings are Korean food is bolder than Japanese and deeper than Chinese food.  I don't know any other way to explain it.  You either love it or would rather pass a kidney stone than eat it.

So to start they always bring out any number of banchan ("ban-jan" = side dishes).  Of these at least one will be a kimchee ("keem-chee" = often made of napa cabbage but can also be cucumber or radish, pickled in hot pepper, garlic and other oh so good seasonings).

"Banchan" = happiness in little bowls

Starting at the top left going right

• cucumbers and apples in a mayonnaise sauce (I question this as a "southern" Korean side dish)
• watercress salad
• fish cakes with hot pepper

Middle row left to right

• sangche (shredded radish kimchee)
• marinated potatoes
• mung bean sprouts 

Bottom row left to right

• kimchee (napa cabage)
• marinated cucumber
• oi kimchee (cucumber, this one was sliced)

These can be munched on alone or with a dab of rice or with your meal.  It doesn't seem like much but they are always happy to bring you more of anything you really enjoy.  The waitress stops and asks if I was Korean.  I explained I was half.  She then begins to chatter away at me and I respond in Korean "I only speak a little Korean."  She smiles and pats me on the shoulder.  I then proceed to express my grasp of the language by listing off all the foods I love and we both laugh.  "I'll never starve to death in Korea at least." Which got another good laugh.  Shortly after that another waitress bring out this:

Hubby's un-pronounceable dish = happiness in a boiling hot bowl

I tried to get a picture of it when she first brought it out.  It is a stone bowl that is heated before the contents are added.  It is literally boiling hot upon arrival.  She instructs him to stir it up before eating it to get everything mixed.  I was able to identify most everything in it.  It smelled delicious and I was looking forward to trying it. Then came mine.

Godenguh Gui = happiness with eyes

They say that smells are one of the strongest triggers of memories.  Seeing this plate instantly brought back a moment from my childhood when I, my younger brother and sister sat eagerly around the table waiting for mother to pick pieces off and put them in our bowls of rice.  I can remember how she made sure each piece was free of any speck of bone before giving it to us.  If we tried to get some for ourselves she would slap our hand away and take the piece back and again, carefully check it for bones before dishing it out.  That to me was affirmation enough to feel that she did love us as best she could.  So that being said Korean food is more than just getting my tummy full.  It's a tie back to my ethnic roots and the happiest memories of my mother.

Phew!  This has taken a while.  It's 12:34 am!  I'm still riding on the waves of joy from our trip.  I am ever so thankful to my in-laws for raising hubby to have such an expansive culinary palette.  Having a partner in crime makes it that much more special.  So to quote a rather wise old bear, "It's always more friendly with two."

P.S.  Tigger, I miss you sis.  I know it's not Mona's but it's as closes as I can get without drugging Baloo after we get in the car.

P.S.S.  The food was AMAZING!!!

on the advantages of being an adult...part 1

Some time ago Mom and I had gone out to dinner, I don't recall where, and I sat staring blankly at the menu.  After watching several trays of food go by I still couldn't decide what I wanted.  Then I saw a dessert tray go by.  I got excited.  I quickly flipped to the section of the menu that listed the desserts.  I know the drool had to be obvious.  I picked what I wanted then flipped back to the regular menu to find something small to have before my dessert.  I still couldn't find anything that appealed to me.  After flipping back and forth and having the server come back twice Mom asked me what I was trying to decide from.  I told her all I really wanted was the dessert and nothing else looked real good.  She then said three words that I will never forget, "So order dessert."

O.o  "I CAN DO THAT!?!?!"  And in the most matter-of-fact, non-mocking tone she replies, "Of coarse!  It's one of the advantages of being an adult."

Those three little words have stayed with me and served me well over the years.  I feel it's an homage to the many years of not listening the the advice of those more experienced and wiser than myself.  It's a declaration to the world that I am an adult and I will not bow down to the constraints of social norms.  It's an exercise of free will.  As a matter of fact I'm pretty sure it's in the constitution, in the very small print, on the back side, just off to the edge.

So, after a more grueling than normal week hubby takes me out to dinner to Carrabba's.  We do our usual look over the menu and do our version of Abbott and Costello "Do you want an appetizer?"  "Well, do YOU want an appetizer?"  "How hungry are you?"  etc.  So as always, I'm debating over which dessert to enjoy.  I tend to worry the tiramsu is from a large sheet that is thawing in the refrigerator next to the peeled garlic and sliced onions so I decide to go with the limoncello bread pudding.  Just below the description it says "Be sure to order early since this takes 20 minutes to make!"  Ooo promising.  Enter waiter, stage left.

ME: I'd like the limoncello bread pudding.

WAITER: Ah, good choice ma'am.  And for-

ME: I'd like that for my dinner please.

WAITER: (slightly nervous laugh)  Um...ok then!  Excellent choice!  I'll be sure to put that in to come out with the entrée.  (slightly less nervous laugh but a rather obvious "she's either crazy or pregnant" smile)

Hubby had the lobster ravioli.  He did enjoy that.  Between the 2 orders of bread, side salad and calamari appetizer it was just enough to leave room for him to try a few bites of my "dinner".  Sadly mine was a little disappointing. I had hoped for a little more lemony flavor.  It will NOT be making my list of "things I would gladly cause bodily harm to another in order to have/do" list.  I won't even begin to compare it to the decadent, slap yo' mama, make a puppy pull a freight train backwards, zabaglione at Mom and my's favorite Italian restaurant (pictures to come soon).

So, the moral of the story?  Know what it is you really, truly want, then go for it.

on labels...

Labels are inherently useful things.  They clearly identify something as what it is, or contains, or what you should or should not do with it.  I find warning labels to be extremely helpful.  Sitting here thinking on what I wanted to do with this topic I came up with this:


Actual warning labels that could apply to me.

• Contents under pressure.  Do not agitate!  Do not puncture or incinerate!
• Do not leave unattended when lit.
• Due to it's nature, contents can vary in color, texture and over all appearance.
• Use by more than one person can greatly raise the risk of spreading infection.
• Prolonged exposure can cause irritation.

on indecision...

So begins a new chapter in the story that is me.  I've been doing a lot of thinking lately.  Mostly because I've been too tired to be doing other things.  So very, very, very tired.  Not sure if it's the meds or just plain boredom.  Probably a combination of both.

I began this blog with a clear cut direction, unhindered by the weeds of doubt and obstacles of indecision.  I knew where I was going with this.  It was my horse dammit and I'm leading it to water.  Now as I look about I see the horse is actually a donkey and there is no stream in sight.  So where do I go now?

Oh look...something shiny...just over there...beyond that hill, under the bushes...sort of to the right of...what the heck is that?!?!?!

When in doubt, return to where you started.  If you lose something, stop, think, retrace your steps.  The problem is I have no idea where I started.  Perhaps I could send out a smoke signal, call in the Marines.  At this point I think being air lifted out and simply starting fresh somewhere new would be the right answer.  That would be like giving up, admitting I failed.  Taking a harder look I see that donkey is just a reflection in the pond I've been sitting at for quite some time.  Time to get my ass in gear!  As my nanny said, "Do something, even if it's wrong."

I still don't know where I want to go.  Perhaps retracing my steps at this point might not be a bad idea, go down some of those old paths that lay long forgotten.  Step back, take a look, evaluate the situation, pick a direction and GO!

on inspiration...

as i sit here, unable to sleep, my mind begins to wander.  i think about my life, love, and chocolate cake.  between the bouts of senseless crying i wonder...how would things be different if...

i truly am inspired by Mom's blog.  i love her writing style.  i am also truly inspired by my dear friend Tigger's blog.  honest and committed.  they help me remember how things have been, of how i used to be.  i miss that me.  the one that would fearlessly wear whatever i felt like, dye my hair 3 shades of purple, get my tongue pierced for no other reason than i wanted to.  where is that me?  i know she's somewhere out there, i mean really, she's way out there.  i'm pretty sure she's crazy.  she'd have to be to do some of the things she did.  i guess i should check up on her, see if she's doing alright.  maybe invite her back for a visit.  who knows, if things work out she might decide to stay a while.  wouldn't that be...interesting.  i hope she remembers me.  who knows, she might not even like me now.  i know i'd be pissed if i was her.  never writes, never calls.  time to suck it up and just go.  can't be any worse than riding a roller coaster...can it?

ok me, get ready, because here i come!

on misery...

so here i am.  i need to stay up for at least another hour to take my meds.  just read the letter from the GI specialist and turns out with all the other issues i also have a fatty liver, common in the southeast (wonder if that's a racial thing).  she recommends losing weight, low fat diet and vitamin e to prevent liver scaring.  yay.  well, it won't hurt eating healthier.  right now the losing weight is easy enough since nothing tastes good and i've lost my appetite.  seems like a perfect excuse for trying something new.  since i've been stuck at home i've been taking advantage of the netflix subscription.  i'm a nut for david attenborough nature documentaries.  i love the bbc release of the planet earth series that he narrates.  argh, his cat is demanding attention as i'm trying to type.  having to backspace every other word after she walks across the keyboard.  i'm horrible company when i don't feel well.  i whine and moan and play poor-pitiful me.  when i'm really sick i'm the total opposite of my usual chattery self.  hubby gets worried when i don't feel like talking.  so i guess i'm just posting for the sake of posting.  i haven't really felt well enough to work on anything much.  i miss me.  i've been trying to keep myself occupied and in a better state of mind by crocheting.  i got a couple of hats done that i'll post pics of.  i keep playing some of my "feel good" movies.  i don't know why but sister act is one of those that makes me happy.  that and legally blonde.  which i would have never watched had it not been for hubby getting it a few years back.  so here i am still.  applying the force of positive thinking is harder to do when you're feeling so lousy.  i am going to feel better.  i will feel better.  i am going to feel better.  i will feel better.  wet, lather, rinse, repeat.  wonder if those people that are afflicted with severe short term memory loss go through more shampoo than normal...