fibonacci
Oops. After my loud proclamation that I’d write while on vacation, my blog fell asleep. I apologize! All the wandering around Tokyo made me quite the vapid soul by end of day, leaving me uninspired to write. And obviously, given that the purpose of this blog is to inspire you, I couldn’t possibly pen anything at such moments. (And there goes my grand idea to start a separate travel blog.)
So I must back-peddle into the caves of my memory, which is a scary thought. I might as well start making up my trip.
But first as a quick aside, let me share a rare moment of pride for my alma mater:
Brandeis is planning to sell off all pieces in its Rose Art Museum to save itself from a dire financial situation, as its endowment has tumbled due to the economy. I have never been to the museum, but the Times tells me it has one of the most important postwar art collections in New England, counting Lichtenstein, Warhol and lovers Rauschenberg and Johns in its collection. The dear director of Northwestern’s Block Museum is quoted denouncing the decision, calling it a “detriment to all our institutions.” Bravo. There must be other solutions out there. Only selling part of the art collection? Freezing salaries? Art is meant to be shared, not shielded.
Ok I just read that and had to write about it. Back to Japan. Actually, the little bit above provides a nice segue – one of my favorite parts of the trip was a visit to the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, where a very cool Jim Lambie exhibit was showing. While in transit to the museum, I started doubting my decision to go as it was off the beaten track, but the show was definitely worth it.
My other favorites: watching the rockabilly greasers in Yoyogi Park, hanging out with a friend’s friend and his friends (and subsequently my friend’s friend’s friend’s friends ha!), sampling an unhealthy amount of food, wandering the side streets and little districts with my friend (and host. Thanks!)
I think that because I’ve been to China, Taiwan and Hong Kong a few times, Tokyo was not as much of a culture shock as I had expected. It also wasn’t as crowded as I imagined it to be – only certain shopping districts were teeming with people. I love how clean the city is though. Americans are just shameful in comparison – we (they?) must learn that it is not that difficult to keep your gum in your mouth, your trash in your hand, your smells in the bathroom. I wait for the day I don’t sit perched on the edge of a BART seat for fear of its grime. What else did I love…ah, the general public is so polite! After purchasing anything, the saleswomen (all women, sadly) will stand there and bow at you as you walk away. You’ll get one extra bow if you turn around to look at them. And probably another if you turn around again.
Pictures on Facebook/Picasa…I’m getting sleepy again and must get some rest for my first day of work on the new job tomorrow!
the world will now resume
I’ve been wanting to start a food blog for a few weeks now, but realized I should pick the blogging back up with my first baby, uber goober, before having a second. Hence this post. But really, who can blame me for being a tad negligent given my past three weekends of: cavorting around LA in a Bentley convertible, taking a day trip to Sonoma in said Bentley, and imbibing myself into a black-out? Not I. Life is fabulous. And so are you.
merry christmas!!!
Let’s not allow the PC-ness of our world to obliterate this jolly greeting. Merry Christmas!
whirly whirlwind
As I dragged my luggage through the airport yesterday, I came to the exciting?/tiring? realization that I will be traveling every week through the end of this year, with the exception of one weekend.
My schedule for the next few weeks doesn’t allow much room for spontaneity: A 4am departure to LA this Thursday to gobble up Thanksgiving. A weekend of raucous fun here as I host my visiting friends. An inevitably delayed flight to Chicago for business, again. A relaxing trip to MD as a stopover before heading up to NJ/NY for Christmas with the extended family. A curiosity finally satisfied with a trip to Austin. An extension to my Texan travels as I mosey on over to Houston for New Years. And then back to SF.
Goodness gracious me. Luckily these aren’t all weekend trips, so I’ll still be around.
Speaking of traveling, or rather, the word “traveling,” I hate it when I see that word spelled with two “L”s. I just looked it up – evidently usage of just one “L” is more common among the British, but I still maintain the superfluous “L” is unnecessary and extravagant. Simplification, people.
Yes, I think about these things. And yes, I did just eat a slice of muenster cheese followed by a persimmon, and why yes, I am starting to feel a tad ill.
shenanigans and tomfoolery
Justification for my blog hiatus through pictures.
Trip with the bro to visit the sis in SD. Hopped, skipped, and jumped over TJ – here’s a street vendor preparing our delectable churros. She looks a little grumpy mcgrumpy.
Adventures in NY with Benita. We accomplished our three goals by the end of the night (to some degree): make new international friends, hitch a ride in a limo, and crash a party. Proof below.
Back in time for a threesome birthday party. Given my impressive “graceful” and “timely” exit for the third time in well, three years, I ought to earn some sort of accolade. Elain probably should too. Here we are, in a rare moment of lucidity.
The sibs also flew in and surprised me! Here we are at my favorite brunch spot, Absinthe, the morning after:
And this past weekend – all the relatives went back home to celebrate my grandfather’s 100th birthday! High consumption of soybeans and white rice will get you very far.
It’s been a fun month. Looking forward to another.
paradigm shift?
Blog as my baby to blog as my tabula rasa. Literally.
Please forgive me. I’m trying to think of what I could have been doing this past month that made me of those people. And all I could think of was…frolicking through five cities within the span of seven days (one being Tijuana), celebrating my birthday (“un”memorable, if you know what I mean), attempting to haul in some business Chinese (continuing challenge), frantically studying for my midterm (six weeks of reading folded into 2 days).
In that time, I have now come to a disturbing realization: I was so preoccupied with life that I didn’t buy or really read the food section of the NYTimes for the past two weeks!! Can I even forgive myself for such a slip? Not to fear. Now that I’ve gained awareness of my lack of awareness, I will continue my quest to learn more yesterday.
Stay tuned, dear reader, stay tuned.
family reunion!
Last night, my roommates and I hosted our very first supper club, the brainchild of Kristin and I. Rules: 1) Only home-cooked meals. No imitations! 2) One dinner per month, with a different theme each time, rotating apartments 3) No boys allowed. They have cooties.
The inaugural supper’s theme was Family Reunion. Everyone was to bring a family recipe, and we’re assembling a “family cookbook.” See below photos for more details.
Do you like our welcome poster?? I drew it, family crest and all!:
Name tags for all the family members:
Kid’s table! With…the only pictures I know how to draw, little horse on the island and the little octopuses. Katie drew the cute fishie. I modeled the lettering after that of this autistic kid I used to work with in HS. haha.
And of course, the food. But actually this is missing 3 dishes including my favorite, Kristin’s linguine with flank steak, asparagus and red peppers. Other food included an orzo salad, chicken tangine w/cous cous, cheesy potatoes, my napa cabbage/vermicelli stir fry, Greek cookies, homemade white cake, broccoli salad, and crepes. We had a lovely assortment of sparkling juices too but I forgot to take a photo of them.
I was about to burst at the end, but um, burst in a good way? Channeling our inner Martha = good times.
guessing game
Time to play! What do these three men have in common?
.
.
.
They are all Russian heartthrobs! In some sense.
Ok that wasn’t the most fun game, but this Russian shrine was spurred by last week’s photos of a shirtless, frolicking Russian President Vladimir Putin that have been causing quite the stir in Russian media. I’m sorry, but if your bare chest is newsworthy, you should have firm pecs. None of this creases under your boobies nonsense. Nor should you be…fishing? Do something manly, like climbing up a fire pole with just one arm. One muscular arm of goodness.
Second picture is Hotty McHotty Alexei Nemov, this Russian gymnast I had a crush on in middle school.
Third picture is Carrie’s love, the Russian…but goodness he looks pretty skeletal to me.
******
By the way, I ultimately wasn’t selected for jury duty. Wasn’t even selected to be questioned. 
I REALLY wanted to serve!!!
serena goes to court. and then rides the bus.
I was called in for jury service this morning. I think I may be one of the few enthusiastic citizens of this fine nation that actually wants to serve on a jury. Perhaps it’s residual interest from my mock trial days in HS.
A group of 100 of us sat in a courtroom and…waited. And waited. And waited. I was sitting in a row of chairs right in front of the jury box and fell asleep, head resting back on the jury box, arms crossed, legs stretched out. Mouth probably wide open, but thankfully, drool-less. Attractive.
Anyway, all that waiting culminated in filling out a 15 minute juror questionnaire on our viewpoints. I think it took me five, as I was the first to turn it in. The bailiff said I should get a prize. I asked for a cookie. He told me I could pick my prize up downstairs in the cafeteria, with $2. Hehe.
So the experience wasn’t bad at all – I was in by 8:30am, out by 11am. I do have to go back tomorrow for the actual jury interviews (pick me! pick me!).
Riding the bus back home, I eavesdropped on a conversation among three high schoolers, who spoke about the typical issues today’s youth face. You know. Filing police reports against harassing classmates. Not being able to leave home because of the fear of being harassed. Receiving death threats from one guy, for hooking up with another guy. Getting letters from your friend in jail. Their tone was apathetic and hardened rather than upset, which makes me think they’ve been experiencing this for years.
Oh, I was so appalled. And saddened that some kids live life full of such distrust and animosity.
my jaunt back east
I’m finally home after a trip home to DC and a business trip to Boston. I liked the exercise of describing my life in colors; here’s a round-about account of my past 10 days in names:
1. Ben Olsen – My hero. I think I witnessed my first hat trick as my new love Ben lead DC United to a 4-2 victory over the NY Red Bulls. Really sad SF doesn’t have a soccer team.
2. Andrew W. Mellon – Thank you for founding the National Gallery of Art. I’m particularly impressed with his selflessness: he insisted that his personal name be separate from the museum’s name so that other collectors would contribute their pieces as well, increasing the greatness of the museum.
3. Joan Miro – Amy came to visit me in Boston for the weekend and she spotted a Miro gallery on Newbury St. I was in heaven. AND…I realized that he signs his name with an exclamation point at the end! I do that too if I make cards or something, and put my name on the back. No wonder I love his stuff so much 
4. Samuel Adams et al – Had a blast on Boston’s Freedom Trail. Yes, I did just say I had a blast.
5. Kimpton – I stayed at three hotels over five nights because I’m so damn picky. I was finally satisfied at Nine Zero, this really cool, modern spot with amenities like a complimentary wine hour (wines chosen by Leslie Sbracco no less!), complimentary shoe shines, impeccable customer service, a pillow service (Amy and I selected the buckwheat, spinal adjustment and water pillows one night…they ran out of the magnet ones haha) and much more. I am now Kimpton’s number one advocate.
6. Edward Hopper – The MFA currently features a Hopper exhibit that is amazing and does a great job of taking you through his career. I realized that a painting can be lonely. The audio guide called him an “inbetween artist” – love that.
7. Mr. Sunshine – Oh. My. Goodness. It was sunny. And warm. And I had flip flops on. And wore shorts. And a tank top. Oh summertime…
8. Mr. Hand-made Pasta – Ok I’m obviously stretching the names theme right now. But anyway, I’m really into pastas now! Who woulda thunk. Went to Rocca in the South End and had some delicious…spaghetti. If it’s hand-made with love, it makes a difference.
I’ll end on 8 because it’s lucky
