Howling at the Pump

Filling up the gas tank is a painful thing to endure nowadays. I bet people howl, cry and curse - like me - while watching the price gauge spins more than 4 times faster than the gas. The thick click that finally stops the fueling brings on a stomach turning sensation... Unfortunately, this nausea will get worse if the gas price keeps going up.

I filled up RK's Landrover this morning and it cost $90.90 for 19 stinky gallons. $90.90!!! That's almost $25 for each quarter tank of gas. Aughhh! It hurts!! I can think of other ways to spend the $90.90 than on gas. But, do we have a choice?

Yes, it would be nice to start walking, taking bus or biking instead but easier said than done.

Will howling become a ritual at the pump?

Mid Point Check In

So we're half way through 2008. Aughhh! Didn't I just blog about the new year? It seemed not that long ago but here we are, 183 days passed. Oh can't forget the extra leap day, so 184.

So what has happened the first 6 months? There were happy and sad events but I'm not going to talk about the sad. You can read that on papers. Let's talk about the good - the happy stuff.

Better and Better. Mom is gaining strength and she is improving noticeably almost on a daily basis. Her determination and hard work are paying off. Her right arm is still weak but she will regain the use of her right arm and hand eventually. Mom did not lose her positive attitude, and it's so nice to hear her laughs again now she has more energy.

Reach Out and Touch Someone. I ramped up my social and professional networks and reconnected with folks that I have not been in touch for a while. Modern technology allows people to stay in touch so easily nowadays so there is no reason not to do so. We all got to know each other for a reason. Our paths have crossed once, why couldn't they cross again?

Gourmet Wannabe. I'm going gourmet (or trying...) and I'm getting creative with whatever I find in the refrigerator. I thought only Mom can do that but I'm getting a hang of it. Nice to have a good cook for a Mom. She is itching to cook but couldn't so she directs me in the kitchen. I'm her cooking hands now and I'm picking up her techniques and recipes. Lucky me!

Self Improvement. For the second half of 2008, I'm going to focus on staying positive and channel good energy to myself and to everyone around me. Be kind to people. Give. Say hello to strangers. Make someone's day if I can't make mine.

Positive Thinking. A glass that's half full is always more satisfying than if half-empty.

Fresh Food Feast

Another great party was had on Saturday, 6/21/08. Our party is known for great food and fun. Live crawfish and fresh oysters were on the menu along with crab cakes, ribs, tri-tips, steaks, salmon, clam linguini, garlic bread, cheese platter, chicken salad, fruit salad, freshly baked banana muffins, cookies, and two cakes...

The crawfish was a big hit again. Love how the kids react to seeing bunch of live crawfish from the sack. There were squeals, laughs and giggles. Some lucky fellows went home as pets. According to Sandy who kept one alive for 1 1/2 years, feeder fish was the secret to its long life.

See the plier on the photo? OK, it's not the official tool for opening oysters but I forgot my oyster knife and the plier was the next best thing that allowed me to open the oysters up as fast as I could. The trick was to pinch the thin side of the oyster shells so there was a little opening and then slide the knife in between the shells. The oyster will open beautifully. I know, I know -- the professional oyster shuckers would have laughed their heads off but the end result was the same. Yummy!

She&She. He&He.

THEY DO! Wedding bells are ringing everywhere for same-sex couples now that they can be legally married in California.

People have their own opinions about gay marriages. However, it’s important to note that LOVE and COMMITMENTS that couples have for each other have no correlations with being gay or straight.

Many of the gay couples featured in the SF Chronicles have been together for a long time. The average length of the relationship for 15 couples in today’s article is 14.4 years (yes, I did the math) - the longest being 40 years and the shortest 3.5. To me, that’s the most precious part. RK and I have been together for 23 years, and I can certainly relate to the inseparable bond and the deep feelings that couples have for each other. It has nothing to do with the gender.

The literal translation of the Taiwanese word “spouse” is “the one I hold hand with”. It’s the world’s greatest blessing when one is lucky enough to find another whom he or she can walk hand in hand with for the journey through life.

Congratulations!

No Tomato for You!

Juicy, plump and nutritious - but you can't have it because of fear of Salmonella contamination. Hmmm... Does the newspaper have to make it sound like every single tomato is bad for you?

Yes, good to be cautious, but I think it goes with all food not just tomoates. Salmonella infection can happen any day with any food. Why just focusing on tomatoes only? Very misleading.

It's not the tomato's fault but like the poor spinach, tomato will get a bad rap for a while. At least can-tomato looks better than can-spinach.

Eat smart. Handle raw food with care. No need to panic. Tomatoes from your garden are fine.