Lesson #4: 2005 is a good year for any French wine. 2003 is a close second.
Or so the guy at the wine cellar in Bordeaux said. He didn't have an open bottle of a 2005 for me to try, but he gave me something similar to the bottle I ultimately bought and man, that was smooth. So I still don't know much about wine, but I figure, if it has a strong alcoholic taste it's not a good wine. And, my friends, the two bottles I bought from him definitely didn't have an alcoholic taste.
But alas, apparently the 2005 is a bottle to keep for another 50 years. I still don't know how you'll know if it'll be good then. Guess it's time for some research!
:) mm wine... Napa trip once I return anyone?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
lessons of frace: part 3
Lesson #3: Not everyone has a George or a Mr. Grumbles.
First, perhaps a little story about George. (Ask my sister about the creation of Mr. Grumbles.)
Once upon a time, in the summer of 2005, I was traveling through the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain with three friends. We visited sight after sight, opening our eyes to as much as we could absorb in the few days we were in each city. The four of us flew, took trains, took metros, took buses, and walked. And I must say, there were lots and lots of walking.
Each day we’d get up, get ready, and review our route for the day. Museums, cathedrals, landmarks, street markets, food. We’d have a small breakfast depending on the city we were in, but ultimately it was some bread or a sandwich and coffee or tea. Then we’d go out, explore something or another, and then we’d somehow find ourselves finding food. Then there’d be lunch and we’d eat a wonderful meal. Carry on with touring around on a hot summer day. Perhaps even have a siesta here and there. Find another place for a snack. Continue our day. And find a place to eat dinner. Enjoy the evening, then finally retire to our home away from home (yay hostels!)
After a while, Howard decides to question my requests. “Jane Ann, we just ate _breakfast/lunch/dinner_! Why are you hungry again??”
“I don’t know I just am?”
So we stop and we get something to appease my hunger.
Only, two or three hours later I’d be hungry again. And after several occasions as such, Hannah decides there must be something wrong with me.
“Dude Jane Ann, do you have a tapeworm in you or something? You keep eating!”
“She must, seeing how much she eats!”
And so after a while, my stomach, or rather the tapeworm that must explain my voracious appetite, was given a name: George.
Thus, the creation of George.
Now I knew before coming here that the French are known for smaller but richer portions at the table, and many of my friends joked that I’ll need two portions to satisfy George, but at a proper meal, you’ll have several courses.
First, the apértif. This is usually where we wait for people to arrive. There’ll be wine, drinks, and little snacks to curb your appetite and make everyone friendlier (haha) until the last guest arrives. In most cases, the less formal ones, it’s just a drink at a bar or at home before the meal.
We move to the dining room and then comes the entrée. Not to be confused with the American entrée. The French entrée is the appetizer. Similarly, it’s a small portion of food to get you started. To date, the best one was the fois gras entrée I had in Bordeaux. Wonderfully flavored, and silky smooth. And went well with the white wine that the server presented us.
Afterwards comes the plat or the main dish. Occasionally there’ll be two or three main dishes for you, but not necessarily. (Surely this already seems to be quite a bit, but again, their portions are small.)
Then there’ll be dessert or cheese. Sometimes a salad comes before this, but I haven’t seen this very often. A platter or a basket of cheese, and dining continues encore.
After cheese and dessert, will be coffee or tea to top off the French two-hour meals.
C’est très gentil non?
But meals with people my age often never follow this pattern. Instead, when cooking with my friends, we’ll usually start munching on the baguettes that we’ve bought in attempts to curb our hunger as we start cooking. The butter and cheese come out and some how we’ve managed to consume half a baguette per person. Eek.
Once dinner is finally finished, we move to the dining table and we eat, and eat, and well.. eat some more. Usually there’ll be seconds, and on the occasion, thirds. Très American non?
Dessert hardly comes, but the rest of the baguette is consumed with the cheese all throughout the meal. By the end, we usually look back at all we eat and realize it could have fed maybe five or six people, but alas, we’re only three. Funny thing is, I’m not the last to stop eating. Though I'm definitely not the first. Some people who eat with us will ultimately point out how we (my californian friend here who can out-eat me and myself) can still eat after everyone else has stopped. We'll look at each other and shrug. "We're still hungry though..." Though with a big group I'll stop eating when everyone else has stopped, but I'll still munch on baguettes or other stuff until two hours later when I'm back in the safety of my own home and I'll eat just a bit more. ;)
And so now I think back at all I’ve eaten here and my growing George and I definitely think I should watch what I eat from now on. Well till I get home. Then there’ll be a few weeks dedicated to catching up on all I’ve missed by being in France. And THEN I’ll start up again.
:) Cheers!
First, perhaps a little story about George. (Ask my sister about the creation of Mr. Grumbles.)
Once upon a time, in the summer of 2005, I was traveling through the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain with three friends. We visited sight after sight, opening our eyes to as much as we could absorb in the few days we were in each city. The four of us flew, took trains, took metros, took buses, and walked. And I must say, there were lots and lots of walking.
Each day we’d get up, get ready, and review our route for the day. Museums, cathedrals, landmarks, street markets, food. We’d have a small breakfast depending on the city we were in, but ultimately it was some bread or a sandwich and coffee or tea. Then we’d go out, explore something or another, and then we’d somehow find ourselves finding food. Then there’d be lunch and we’d eat a wonderful meal. Carry on with touring around on a hot summer day. Perhaps even have a siesta here and there. Find another place for a snack. Continue our day. And find a place to eat dinner. Enjoy the evening, then finally retire to our home away from home (yay hostels!)
After a while, Howard decides to question my requests. “Jane Ann, we just ate _breakfast/lunch/dinner_! Why are you hungry again??”
“I don’t know I just am?”
So we stop and we get something to appease my hunger.
Only, two or three hours later I’d be hungry again. And after several occasions as such, Hannah decides there must be something wrong with me.
“Dude Jane Ann, do you have a tapeworm in you or something? You keep eating!”
“She must, seeing how much she eats!”
And so after a while, my stomach, or rather the tapeworm that must explain my voracious appetite, was given a name: George.
Thus, the creation of George.
Now I knew before coming here that the French are known for smaller but richer portions at the table, and many of my friends joked that I’ll need two portions to satisfy George, but at a proper meal, you’ll have several courses.
First, the apértif. This is usually where we wait for people to arrive. There’ll be wine, drinks, and little snacks to curb your appetite and make everyone friendlier (haha) until the last guest arrives. In most cases, the less formal ones, it’s just a drink at a bar or at home before the meal.
We move to the dining room and then comes the entrée. Not to be confused with the American entrée. The French entrée is the appetizer. Similarly, it’s a small portion of food to get you started. To date, the best one was the fois gras entrée I had in Bordeaux. Wonderfully flavored, and silky smooth. And went well with the white wine that the server presented us.
Afterwards comes the plat or the main dish. Occasionally there’ll be two or three main dishes for you, but not necessarily. (Surely this already seems to be quite a bit, but again, their portions are small.)
Then there’ll be dessert or cheese. Sometimes a salad comes before this, but I haven’t seen this very often. A platter or a basket of cheese, and dining continues encore.
After cheese and dessert, will be coffee or tea to top off the French two-hour meals.
C’est très gentil non?
But meals with people my age often never follow this pattern. Instead, when cooking with my friends, we’ll usually start munching on the baguettes that we’ve bought in attempts to curb our hunger as we start cooking. The butter and cheese come out and some how we’ve managed to consume half a baguette per person. Eek.
Once dinner is finally finished, we move to the dining table and we eat, and eat, and well.. eat some more. Usually there’ll be seconds, and on the occasion, thirds. Très American non?
Dessert hardly comes, but the rest of the baguette is consumed with the cheese all throughout the meal. By the end, we usually look back at all we eat and realize it could have fed maybe five or six people, but alas, we’re only three. Funny thing is, I’m not the last to stop eating. Though I'm definitely not the first. Some people who eat with us will ultimately point out how we (my californian friend here who can out-eat me and myself) can still eat after everyone else has stopped. We'll look at each other and shrug. "We're still hungry though..." Though with a big group I'll stop eating when everyone else has stopped, but I'll still munch on baguettes or other stuff until two hours later when I'm back in the safety of my own home and I'll eat just a bit more. ;)
And so now I think back at all I’ve eaten here and my growing George and I definitely think I should watch what I eat from now on. Well till I get home. Then there’ll be a few weeks dedicated to catching up on all I’ve missed by being in France. And THEN I’ll start up again.
:) Cheers!
lessons of frace: part 2
lesson #2: masculinity versus femininity and the art of flirtation
And this doesn't mean the "You're cute, I want you, I must have you in bed with me" flirting, but the feel good, coy smile, lingering glance, that's not creepy, feeling from a nice conversation, a compliment, leaves you with a lingering smile, flirtation. The charming, light-hearted banter that makes France, Paris, the City of Love. It's the in the moment quick, coy, wit that lasts with just that, no second move, no call later. Just for that moment of friendly conversation, compliment, one liners (no "I wish I were a derivative so I could lie tangent to your curves.") or cute little phrases like: Sois sage! (Be good!), Qu'est-ce que je ferais sans toi? (What would I do without you?), Tu t'en vas déjà? (You're leaving already?), Allez! Reste encore un peu. (Come on! Stay a little bit longer.), T'es drôle! (You're funny!). Yes, even a smile can get you out of an unstamped train ticket (which usually result in a fine), coffee, or just a conversation outside the Louvre.
To be continued..
And this doesn't mean the "You're cute, I want you, I must have you in bed with me" flirting, but the feel good, coy smile, lingering glance, that's not creepy, feeling from a nice conversation, a compliment, leaves you with a lingering smile, flirtation. The charming, light-hearted banter that makes France, Paris, the City of Love. It's the in the moment quick, coy, wit that lasts with just that, no second move, no call later. Just for that moment of friendly conversation, compliment, one liners (no "I wish I were a derivative so I could lie tangent to your curves.") or cute little phrases like: Sois sage! (Be good!), Qu'est-ce que je ferais sans toi? (What would I do without you?), Tu t'en vas déjà? (You're leaving already?), Allez! Reste encore un peu. (Come on! Stay a little bit longer.), T'es drôle! (You're funny!). Yes, even a smile can get you out of an unstamped train ticket (which usually result in a fine), coffee, or just a conversation outside the Louvre.
To be continued..
lessons of frace: part 1
Last Friday was my last day of school and my first afternoon of vacation and as much as I’m glad to be done with some of my kiddies, I’m really sad to be finished. Partially because that means my time in France is coming to an end, and partially because now I must start the job search (or rather I should have, but I’ve figured I have Challenger/Stratford to fall back on).
And so, like all experiences, one must be able to come out of it with something learned. After seven months here surely I’ve learned many things. They say you should learn a new thing every day. So technically I should have learned at least two hundred and twenty-eight things by the time I leave.
Lesson #1: Relationships NEED time and effort, and most importantly communication.
I feel like I should have known this by now, but with an ocean, a continent, and nine time zones apart, it’s easy to let relationships falter. Even with the aid of the internet and Skype, it seems that it would be easier to make long distances not feel so far. Skype and even Google now had video chats (though if the other person has no camera it defeats the purpose of video chats versus just a phone call). And yet, it really is the time zones that make talking to someone overseas hard. My evenings are their mornings, their evenings my mornings. And so encounters, or long conversations just become harder and harder. And as much time as I spend on my computer, I am really a person who thrives on social encounters, coffee dates, meetings around food, meetings around activities.
And so I’ve learned, with long distance relationships, friendship or otherwise, one really must put a lot more effort into conversations, face time (or voice time in cameraless cases), emails, and just thoughts about the other person. With coming here, I had a sense of selfishness with me where I wanted to see all I could but wanted to do things on my time. And well, one learns that the world doesn’t always work with you. Time schedules, time zones, time fleeting… time sometimes just isn’t on your side.
And so, like all experiences, one must be able to come out of it with something learned. After seven months here surely I’ve learned many things. They say you should learn a new thing every day. So technically I should have learned at least two hundred and twenty-eight things by the time I leave.
Lesson #1: Relationships NEED time and effort, and most importantly communication.
I feel like I should have known this by now, but with an ocean, a continent, and nine time zones apart, it’s easy to let relationships falter. Even with the aid of the internet and Skype, it seems that it would be easier to make long distances not feel so far. Skype and even Google now had video chats (though if the other person has no camera it defeats the purpose of video chats versus just a phone call). And yet, it really is the time zones that make talking to someone overseas hard. My evenings are their mornings, their evenings my mornings. And so encounters, or long conversations just become harder and harder. And as much time as I spend on my computer, I am really a person who thrives on social encounters, coffee dates, meetings around food, meetings around activities.
And so I’ve learned, with long distance relationships, friendship or otherwise, one really must put a lot more effort into conversations, face time (or voice time in cameraless cases), emails, and just thoughts about the other person. With coming here, I had a sense of selfishness with me where I wanted to see all I could but wanted to do things on my time. And well, one learns that the world doesn’t always work with you. Time schedules, time zones, time fleeting… time sometimes just isn’t on your side.
Monday, April 20, 2009
countdown to home: 20 days
Twenty days till I'm back at home. Three weeks. And I'm already thinking of what I want to eat when I go home. quite the piggy eh?
Southern California
Southern California
- dimsum
- good sushi
- cheesecake factory
- ding tai fung xiao long baos
- chipotle
- little india's indian food
- korean food
- tapioca express
- paxti's pizza
- shanghai dumpling king
- fuki sushi
- tofu house and their seafood pancake
- verde tea house
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Berck, France
More beachiness for me! along with some local cuisine, mules et frites. No frites in the pictures but we all know what fries look like.
before me and my tummy George (or rather Gustav as he's been renamed)
after me and Gustav
Where to next? :)
before me and my tummy George (or rather Gustav as he's been renamed)
after me and Gustav
Where to next? :)
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