inflexible

I've been doing yoga for over a year now. The advanced poses should be easy for me by now, but I still look like a beginner because I'm so ridiculously inflexible. Sad.

This is more like a Facebook post.

bread

One reason I was excited to move into our New York apartment was because we'd have a full-size oven! Which meant that I could bake so much more than just cookies in our little toaster oven! So I decided to try baking some bread. We were also trying to save some money, so I thought it would be great if we never had to buy sandwich bread ever again.

It turns out that bread is harder to make than I thought! The first couple loaves came out like bricks, and they were pretty hard to eat. So I gave up.

But THEN, Cyrus got me the item at the top of my birthday list: a Dutch oven. After having read a bunch of food blogs for the past couple years, I realized how useful this thing could be, and how limited I felt without one. So after experimenting with a couple recipes with the Dutch oven (the galbi jjim and coq au vin both came out beautifully!) I decided to try Jim Lahey's no-knead bread recipe.

I also decided to give dry active yeast a rest and use instant yeast instead. (Maybe something was wrong with my yeast?) Anyway, the recipe worked! The bread really tasted like something you might buy at a store. I used cornmeal to sprinkle onto the crust before I baked it, and it filled the entire apartment with the smell of popcorn! Heavenly!

Anyway, I have a total bread fixation now. Cyrus loves rosemary, so this next recipe caught my eye: I will attempt America's Test Kitchen's rosemary foccacia! (More about how much I love America's Test Kitchen later.)

july 5

July 5 will be a magical day. It'll be my last day at Starbucks! For many reasons, we decided that it would be best for me to quit in July, and yesterday I officially gave notice to my manager. Just think! Sleeping in on the weekdays past 5am!

If anyone still reads this and would like to benefit from my 30% discount (French press, coffee beans, mugs, etc.), let me know before the magic day!

JEW

Yesterday while I was cooking, I listened to all of the Jimmy Eat World songs that I have. And then I ended up with that feeling... a combination of happy-nostalgic and sad-nostalgic, and excited about and dreading something big that I felt like was about to happen. Why are all Jimmy Eat World songs like this? Anyway, I loved it.

I also ended up with a crazy delicious coq au vin, so that was a nice way to end the Jimmy Eat World jam session.

tokyo turnips

These beautiful things are called Tokyo turnips. I've been doing some research, and there is also such a thing as a Japanese turnip. I'm not sure if they're the same thing, or one is a variety of another, but I'm on a major hunt for these turnips!

They were the side vegetable of a meat dish we had at a restaurant last month, and after tasting the buttery goodness of these little guys, I can't stop thinking about them!

blurry

I went to this eyeglass store to finally get my glasses adjusted since they've been falling off my face every 30 seconds.

I gave my glasses to a guy who took them into a back room. "Give me a minute," he said.

So there I was, standing in the middle of an eyeglass store, and I couldn't see a thing! I couldn't remember the last time I saw the world so blurily for an extended period of time, and I felt so completely helpless!

The glasses were adjusted nicely.

far east movement on conan - coolest asians

I'd heard about Far East Movement from one of my favorite blogs, but I never really looked into them much or even saw a video.

They performed "Rocketeer" on Conan a couple nights ago, and I must've replayed it about six times! I love the song, but more than that, it's so awesome to see Asian Americans that are so completely and untouchably cool on stage in front of a national audience.



How cool are they??

my thoughts on the time article on amy chua

I just caught myself up on the whole Amy Chua Tiger Mother thing, and I am so angry! Her article in the Wall Street Journal wasn't so bad, but it's so so so frustrating how people are beginning to talk in such extremes and saying that one is right, and not the other.

Read this paragraph from Time Magazine:

Most surprising of all to Chua's detractors may be the fact that many elements of her approach are supported by research in psychology and cognitive science. Take, for example, her assertion that American parents go too far in insulating their children from discomfort and distress. Chinese parents, by contrast, she writes, "assume strength, not fragility, and as a result they behave very differently." In the 2008 book A Nation of Wimps, author Hara Estroff Marano, editor-at-large of Psychology Today magazine, marshals evidence that shows Chua is correct. "Research demonstrates that children who are protected from grappling with difficult tasks don't develop what psychologists call 'mastery experiences,' " Marano explains. "Kids who have this well-earned sense of mastery are more optimistic and decisive; they've learned that they're capable of overcoming adversity and achieving goals." Children who have never had to test their abilities, says Marano, grow into "emotionally brittle" young adults who are more vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

I agree with everything the Psychology Today editor is saying, but to frame it in a way that says "Chua is correct"?? No way.Yes, Amy Chua makes it pretty much impossible for her kids to give up on a task that seems too hard, but are screaming insults and withholding food and bathroom breaks the way to do it? Come on! 

 

There are SO MANY other ways to motivate kids to keep trying at something they don't want to do! Instead of screaming, "You're pathetic!" you can hug your child and say, "I know you can do this. I really believe in you. Imagine how proud you'll be of yourself when you finally get it. And maybe afterwards, we can go get some ice cream! I just think it's really important that you keep trying because you might surprise yourself. So what do you think? Maybe we can try for another half an hour and see where we are then?" 

 

Maybe this is more of an issue with this Time Magazine writer. She's using some very solid research from educational psychology to support elements - elements - of Amy Chua's parenting, but it's absolutely ridiculous to say that maybe Amy Chua has it right.

Here's more infuriating use of research:

Another parenting practice with which Chua takes issue is Americans' habit, as she puts it, of "slathering praise on their kids for the lowest of tasks — drawing a squiggle or waving a stick." Westerners often laud their children as "talented" or "gifted," she says, while Asian parents highlight the importance of hard work. And in fact, research performed by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck has found that the way parents offer approval affects the way children perform, even the way they feel about themselves.

Where to even begin?? I've actually read this Dweck article and studied student motivation in grad school, and the researcher is in no way addressing parents or teachers "slathering praise on their kids for the lowest of tasks." Ridiculous! The article is only making a distinction in the type of praise that children receive. Positive reinforcement and praise should be based on a child's effort, not his intelligence. Many parents say to their kids, "You're so smart!" when what's most beneficial to a kid's future success and choice of more difficult tasks is if they say, "You worked really hard at that!" Simple: focus on effort, not intelligence. Come on!

I can't stand this. Sure, there are parts of Amy Chua's parenting that are good, but she compares herself over and over again to gushy, pampering "Western" parents. Did you know that there are "Western" parents who have found a middle ground? Oh, what a novel idea! 

And check this out: If you visit the Amy Chua article on Wall Street Journal website, there's an idiotic poll that asks you to choose ONE: 

"Which style of parenting is best for children?

• Permissive Western parenting
• Demanding Eastern parenting"

As if there really are only two choices. Come on!! Maybe whoever put this poll here was making fun of the whole thing, but who knows.

So I don't care too much about what Amy Chua said, but this Time article really pissed me off.

ranting

ANNOYING CUSTOMER STORIES!

A guy ordered a coffee and was angry that he'd been waiting longer than 30 seconds. I explained to him that four people had ordered coffee ahead of him, and that we were going to make sure that the coffees are handed out in order. He rolled his eyes as if that were some ridiculous concept. He tried to fight more, but I ignored him and rang up the next customer. I would have been just a little more satisfied if I'd made the "W" with my fingers at him.

I was at the cash register and asked a guy his order and he told me what it was. "Grande coffee and a blueberry scone," I think he said. I asked if my coworker, who was taking orders down the line, had already got his order. He just repeated, "Grande coffee and a blueberry scone!" I asked him the question again, explaining, "I want to make sure that someone got your order and that I don't put it in twice. Did you tell Nicole your order already?" He replied by saying, "Grande coffee and a blueberry scone!! Seriously, how many people do I have to give my order to??" I wanted to tell him that there's something called LISTENING that some people do to communicate, but no.

IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!

christmas gifts from customers

Over the past few days, me and my Starbucks coworkers have gotten a lot of gifts from our customers!

- Me and my shift supervisor both got a beautiful mirror and $25 gift card from Sephora from our 6:30am customer (grande soy latte & grande soy caramel macchiato)
- Everyone in the morning crew (about 6-7 of us) got $10 cash from grande soy misto lady
- People in the afternoon crew got gourmet chocolates from these twogrande unsweetened ice coffee guys
- Venti bold guy stuck a $20 bill in the tip jar
- Venti skim chai guy stuck a $50 bill in the tip jar

I think there's more, but this is all I know about. What conclusion does this lead me to make?  That they're generous? Kind? Thoughtful? Yeah, I guess, but more than that...

OUR CUSTOMERS ARE CRAZY RICH!

It's ridiculous! I guess it makes sense, though, since these are the people who work near Wall St. and come in every day and spend anywhere between $3-10 each visit. It's ridiculous, isn't it?

Anyway, merry Christmas Eve eve!

christmas countdown: #1 - priscilla ahn's "silent night"

Is Christmas really this Saturday?? Maybe this is how it is for work people (not school people). For school people, there are exams, an actual winter break. I guess that makes sense because this year is the first year for me that I'm not in school, teaching in a school or, uh, married to someone in school. So Christmas just comes and goes, and the anticipation is whatever you make of it. One thing I'm doing to get in the spirit is that I'm listening to as much Christmas music as I can.

And it's songs like Priscilla Ahn's "Silent Night," my #1 Christmas song, that remind me of the beauty of that night we celebrate.



I always liked Priscilla Ahn as an indie/folk/pop (?) artist since I first heard of her, but I never knew she had the skill or the voice to arrange and sing a song like this.

Listen to all those layers! That third round of "round yon virgin"! And how all those chords come to rest when she finally says "heavenly peace." It's such an ethereal and artful song that I shuddered when ABC used it as the background to a commercial previewing their holiday episodes last year. (This song does not deserve to be brought down to the Grey's Anatomy level!!)

So that's it. This is my absolute #1 pick for unexpected Christmas songs.

A recap:

1. "Silent Night," Priscilla Ahn
2. "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," Shane & Shane
3. "Do You Hear What I Hear," Nichole Nordeman
4. "It Snowed," Meaghan Smith
5. "12 Days of Christmas (Live)," Straight No Chaser
6. "Sleigh Ride", KT Tunstall
7. "Winter Song," Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
8. "(Everybody's Waitin' For) the Man With the Bag," Kay Starr
9. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jack Johnson
10. "O Tannenbaum," Vince Guaraldi Trio

THE END!!

christmas countdown: #2 - shane & shane's "o come o come emmanuel"

These guys add such great drama to this really beautiful hymn. This video doesn't have the drums coming in at the second verse like it does in the mp3 I have (from the album Glory in the Highest, A Christmas Album), but it's still awesome!



Christmas is really only a week and a half away!

Esther Kang visited this week and we got to do a lot of Christmasy things! It really, really feels like Christmas here in New York City. We went to the Bryant Park holiday market and they had all of these Christmas-themed shops and even ice skating in the middle! Christmas is so beautiful!

Kind of like our wedding, there's so much anticipation leading up to Christmas, but once it's over, it's totally over! But at least Christmas happens once every year. I wish we could throw a wedding half as often. :)

christmas countdown: #3 - nichole nordeman's "do you hear what i hear"

We're getting down to the wire! Are there really only two weeks until Christmas??

For my number three pick (and number two and number one), I'm getting back to the real meaning of Christmas. Lyrically, this song doesn't say a lot, but it's about the actual birth of Jesus. Almost every other version of this song is pretty corny, and not fun to listen to because of its clunkiness and heavy-handedness. But the very cool Nichole Nordeman makes this song light, smooth, slick and even a little groovy. 

It's nowhere to be found on YouTube, but here's a link to play the whole song online for free: "Do You Hear What I Hear" by Nichole Nordeman on Yahoo Music.

Listen to those drums! Those echoes! That la-da-da interlude!

Yes, everyone. Only two more weeks until Christmas!!

christmas countdown: #4 - meaghan smith's "it snowed"

Christmas means winter. Winter means snow. So, I think we can say that songs about snow are also about Christmas.

This is the best snow day song. Can you imagine waking up to a blanket of white outside listening to this song?



3-1/2 weeks 'til Christmas.

christmas countdown: #5 - straight no chaser's "12 days of christmas (live)"

This is one of the best a cappella performances ever! And not only that, but it's the most creative Christmas medley...ever!

It's also my #5 favorite Christmas song. The mp3 is pretty great, but you really have to watch the video to get the full effect of the humor.



Straight No Chaser is an all-male a cappella group from Indiana University.

Only 4-1/2 weeks until Christmas! It's really coming!

word wednesday: espresso vs. expresso

It's espresso, not expresso.

christmas countdown: #6 - kt tunstall's "sleigh ride" (+ dave barnes)

Here's another favorite from Hotel Cafe's amazing holiday album. There isn't much you can do with this song, but KT Tunstall really adds a lot to make it even more fun and playful than it already is.



I love the out-of-tune toy piano, the background vocals, the key changes/modulations and most of all KT Tunstall's signature raspy voice.

I also have to mention that Dave Barnes came out with a new Christmas album last week: Very Merry Christmas by Dave Barnes on Amazon.com. I had to buy it because I already love Dave Barnes. I do like the album, but I'm reluctant to recommend that other people buy it too because it's not phenomenal. It has the characteristic Dave Barnes folksy, semi-country, semi-jazzy style which is great, but the songwriting is just okay. But it's worth sampling, so give it a listen if you're interested!

Only 5 1/2 weeks 'til Christmas!

christmas countdown: #7

This entire album is a revelation. The Hotel Café presents... Winter Songs is one of the best holiday compilations with songs by the most awesome indie artists. "Winter Song" by Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles is my third favorite song from this album.



It's sad, and it's not really about Christmas, but still. I love the harmonies, the cello, the piano and the "bum-bum-bums."

When you listen to the song and get to the 3:50 mark, listen to all that layering -- so beautiful!

Only 6 1/2 weeks until Christmas! :)

word wednesday: deer in head lice

Last week's episode of Modern Family was hilarious! They made fun of Gloria, a character who was born in Colombia and speaks with a Spanish accent and sometimes gets English phrases wrong.

I don't think there's a way to embed videos from Hulu, so click on the link to see the clip!

Gloria Has Enough

Modern Family is a pretty smart and funny show with some really great characters (Manny is my favorite!). Definitely worth picking up if you don't watch it already!

cooking adventures

I've been having a lot of fun cooking this past week. Here are some pictures!

Gomtang (Korean chicken soup)

Strawberry shortcake (I made the whipped cream from scratch, too!)

Roasted brussels sprouts. It was my first time cooking or eating them -- not bad!

Fun!