Nevelson & Modigliani

I'm drawn to Louise Nevelson and Amedeo Modigliani.

New York City Mosque (of Islamic Cultural Center)

It's a tiny architectural gem that I recommend you visit, if you're into the unexpected. On 96th and 2nd right off the Upper East Side, this mosque is truly the size of a neighborhood mosque in Islamic countries, but built in a paradoxical monumental palatial type, with a central dome set on a square plan, and minaret (where call to prayer is usually performed, but banned in the U.S. due to noise pollution ordinances). It is surrounded by tall, undecorated, brick apartment buildings. I get a sense of the mosque trying to fit into, and yet, rejecting it's urban surroundings. There is a prayer hall on the lower level that reminds me of La Mezquita de Córdoba. The upper level only fits 338 (or 388, please correct me) occupants. Remember to take off your shoes and place them in the shoe slots to the left of you (shoes should never touch the floor of the sacred space). The hall is a light, airy space. 120 lights hang from the dome ceiling, representing all the names of Allah (the same God of Christians and Jews). The carpet is done in a geometric pattern, echoing the patterns on the glass panels surrounding the mihrab (a niche in the qibla wall (prayer wall)). It is a modern space that retains the integrity of tradition.

I'm a big fan of exploring religious spaces, and this mosque being in the U.S. means that the restrictions are much more lax. The people there were so friendly, instantly embracing me as part of their community, even inviting me to the Friday 12:30 congregation even though I'm not Muslim (in more conservative countries, they won't allow non-Muslims to enter the structure during prayer time). The imam, the congregation leader, seems very open to answering questions, and they even have a small cozy library. Remember the dress code (though clothing is provided if you don't have any; I just prefer to be coordinated) of covering your hair and body shape. It is a holy space, so please respect more conservative Muslim beliefs and traditions when you're there. For men, it would be better not to look women straight in the eye, keep distance from them, and not shake their hands, but still be friendly (and the same for women). Maybe I've been reading too much literature on Islamic practice.

Japan Meets Jazz, Takenaka Music Trio

I heard jazz for the first time in concert, outside of a party or lounge scene. To say the least, Makoto Takenaka has a clear mastery of the piano and genre. The jazz program included standard tunes, Japanese, Russian, and classical performed by him, Shane Allessio on bass, and Ryan McBride on drums.

The first half of the program was thoughtfully planned out, drawing in the audience with 'When You Wish Upon a Star', a piece everyone knows. Then, he continued with the light-hearted modern Japanese tunes of 花 (Blossom)、春の小川 (Spring Stream)、and Seashoreの歌 (Song of the Seashore) (sorry, my Japanese is getting really rusty, like every other language I've picked up through the years). He ended the first part with 'Scarlet Sarafan' and 'Light', Russian jazz pieces. The musical melodies became more substantial, dramatic, and melancholic as we moved through the program. It's also interesting to note that he brought us through a geographical journey, moving from music of southern Japan, to Tokyo in the Kanto region, up to the northwest coast of Hokkaido and into Russia. Yet, there is a cohesive melodic transformation.

The second half of the program included 'Sakura' (Cherry Blossoms, an interpretation of the traditional very recognizable melodic line of the same name), 'Turkish March' by Mozart, 'Nocturne' by Chopin, 'Toryanse', and 'Etenraku'. We were fortunate enough to receive an encore piece, Yankee Doodle. These pieces showcased the artistry and blending of the piano with bass and drums. Sadly, the bass was always slightly off-pitch relative to the piano(perhaps they should have done a closer sound check?) and about 1/8 a beat behind (funky acoustics in the venue?). But, these slight problems did not deter me from thoroughly enjoying the performance.

The audience especially loved 'Light' and 'Cherry Blossoms'. Indeed, Makoto's unique use of the piano's properties marks him as a refined performer who pushes the envelope through experimental sound. He showed us his skill in his understanding of how the felt hammers strike the steel strings inside the Steinway to produce sound through varying the speed and length at which the hammers struck the strings. During 'Cherry Blossoms', he got off his bench to stand and pluck the strings inside the piano body so that we could recall the piece's original playings on the koto, a Japanese stringed instrument, related to the Chinese zheng and Korean gayageum. Perhaps it's this nostalgia of listening and wishing to play the gayageum that the plucking evoked, but I preferred this piece above all others.

When all was done, I left the Chapel, filled with dreams for the future, excited for all the world's undiscovered and unrefined talent that will develop through the years. Whether it is talent in music, cooking, sculpture, trading derivatives, or just loving others.

Central Kitchen in Cambridge

R and I finally had dinner here last Thursday. The atmosphere is quite warm and romantic. Low lighting, warm woods, and metal tables provided an upscale feel to an otherwise gloomy Central Sqaure. The Mediterranean cuisine is tasty and solid. We had the antipasto dish with prosciutto, sopressata and grilled vegetables (R especially loved the eggplant), fresh oysters and shrimp from the raw bar, grilled trout with string beans and potatoes (entree), and an orange cheesecake with blood orange glace and thin candied peel (dessert, of course). The entree and dessert were nothing exciting. The appetizers, however, were an adventure. We had oysters from Rhode Island-Nantasket I believe, Massachusetts-Fleet, and New York-Long Island?. The RI oysters had a slightly bitter, briny taste with bite. The MA oysters were more delicate in flavor. The NY oysters were our favorite, being the most subtle in brine, largest, and deliciously juicy. The shrimps were large, but could have been a bit less cooked to enhance the fresh seafood nature. That reminds me of the most delicious amaebi sashimi during my last visit to Seattle.

Boston continues to surprise me. I thought they didn't have good seafood, but realized that they have delicious seafood, just at exorbitant prices students would never want to pay.

Grapefruit, Vitamins, and Birds' Nests

Both G and I presently have a nasty cold. So, of course, we turn to tea and grapefruit, while discussing the merits of other foods that supposedly help our health. (See http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/grapefruit.html for more detailed horticultural info on grapefruit). In places like Central and Causeway in Hong Kong, specialty stores sell swallows nest soup (nests made of spit of male swiftlet swallows pried from cave walls in cliffs), which is clear and eaten when one needs a boost to the immune system... it's also supposed to be an aphrodisiac (I think I'll have a section devoted to aphrodisiacs later). G says it's tasteless, so rock sugar or some other flavor needs to be added. Dried nest pieces are soaked in water for several hours, the nests are cleaned of their remnant feathers, then boiled twice. It certainly is a laborious process to make and eat. But are they really that good for you or do you just get that "placebo effect"? I prefer to drink warm tea full of flavanoids with fresh lemon wedges and honey. Likewise, does eating more fruits with water-soluble Vitamin C help boost your immune system? Intaking too much Vitamin C causes diarrhea. Rather, go for a multivitamin like Gummy Vites. They're for children, or the children at heart. In this day and age, we're so spoiled. Remember those Flintstones and Centrum vitamins? Cheers to a more palatable drug industry.

Forcing Bulbs to Bring Spring Indoors Earlier than Boston Spring

Forcing bulbs indoors can be easy or difficult, depending on the type of bulbs you'd like to grow. Of course, you need to have the right level of light (ie shade, partial shade, full sun?), keep the water levels normal, and choose bulbs that can bloom at room temperature, or you'll never enjoy them. I've included a list of bulbs you can force. Here's a link where you can learn how to force bulbs: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1116.html

Bulbs for Beginners:

Amaryllis
Paperwhite Narcissus
Autumn Crocus
Lily of the Valley


Fall Bulb Intermediate (ie probably requires chilling period):

Tulip
Hyacinth
Grape Hyacinth (muscari)
Other jonquils/narcissus (ie those cheerfully daffy daffodils)
Crocus
Dwarf Iris
Snowdrop (galanthus)

Spring Bulb Intermediate (or equiv.):

Asiatic Lily
Oriental Lily
Freesia
Calla Lily
Dutch Iris

I've successfully grown paperwhite narcissus and Dutch hyacinths in my dorm. For the hyacinths, I've had to adjust the cool-down timing to fit in with the breaks when I'm not home. Luckily, my corner room on the 5th F is like an icebox when the heat's turned off, so I just leave the bulbs near a cold wall. Although the recommended chilling period in the refrigerator is 3Ms, I've gotten blooms from bulbs with only 6W of chilling (though maybe the blooms aren't as showy as they could be).

"If you have two coins, use one to buy bread, the other to buy hyacinths, for the joy of your spirit." - A Persian saying

Random Thought

I can't wait until I move into my new place, wherever that will be. Already, the ideas swirl about in my head. I'm going to try the untried and impossible. It'll be a veritable Secret Garden indoors. Oh yeah, I guess I couldn't live with anyone that is allergic to pollen.

On Flowers that One Can Whiff

Hybridizers and growers in the last century have been moving away from attempting to please the nose, and towards showy blooms that really overemphasize the visual aspect of plants (ie take a look at the judges' criteria for flower competitions). I think that's why it's so hard to find plants I want to grow. I adore a garden that caters to all the senses (see a pattern on preferences, anyone?). A garden first catches the eye with color and beauty, then draws you in with the promise of perfume. The real beauty of a bloom lies in the flower's scent. Sniff a scentless blossom. Aren't you just a bit disappointed? Oh, to encounter and grow blooms with a pleasing color, but with a perfume that lingers in the night air like an unspoken tryst.

What is Food about?

Food is necessary for a human to survive in this harsh, often horrific (think Virginia Tech Massacre) world. Hopefully, we eat at least 3x a day, if not more, so why not enjoy it? Indeed, I do delight in gustatory ecstasies. However, an experience that engages all the senses in a harmonic concerto is hard to find.

Think of it this way:

food= solo instrument
presentation, background sound, service, atmosphere, interior, lighting = accompanying instruments

bad company means: you are much more appreciative about suggesting or agreeing to a restaurant with fantastic food and presentation, staring at the food in satisfaction until your plates are taken away

good company means: you've just landed yourself a good time for the next few hours

A Taste for Culture in New York

Madama Butterfly production by New York City Opera

I've heard divas in concert and operas on CD, but this was my first live full-length opera. And how wonderful! I believe that opera is better to watch live than instrumental... coming from someone who's played classical instruments for who knows how long. Puccini's sweepingly dramatic operas are to my taste. Bigger than life, over the top, and yet, fundamentally real. I shed some tears in Act I, anticipating the tragedy to come as a result of Cio-Cio San and Pinkerton's blatant mismatch. The sparse decoration really worked, focusing my attention on the sheer vocal story conveyed and involvement with the characters (I dare not judge vocal talent yet), which means that Cio-Cio San led me on a string emotionally. By the end of Act III, I shook the entire row from some heavy sobbing. A nice man sitting in front of J and I offered a box of tissues... how embarrassing (yet, I accepted the whole thing). As you can tell, the opera was quite cathartic.

Serendipity 3

Quality of desserts do not match hype nor price (opinion of our entire table, including very easily satisfied non-foodies). I think you should go here for nostalgic high-school or John Cusack-related reasons. You may think I'm not nice, but I say, why pay for something I could make myself?

Regarding conversation at Serendipity:

SC's cousin G, in his wise "I'm more worldly being 30-something, tall, and old" mode, remarked that I'd make a great trophy wife because I love the arts, food, and entertaining people. However, this does not mean that I'm high maintenance. It's all about the utility level of an indifference curve (non-Economics people can Wiki 'indifference curve'). I'll pay for my own exorbitant meals, thank you very much. Plus, one can be just as happy with Mr. Bartley's burgers or really good frozen yoghurt (a bit different concept from utility measured by dollars in the indifference curve, here, I'm referring to some args made in behavioral economics (sometimes, money just isn't enough)).

I thought I wouldn't make a good trophy wife because we don't commonly associate these wives with brilliant smarts (not saying I'm a genius) or tenacity. But, the more we discussed the merits of a trophy wife, the more I respected the emotional intelligence of these women who know how to be wonderful hostesses, look beautiful, and please their husbands. I thought I'd never say this (as a soon to be elitist alum of an institution that breeds leaders & trailblazers), but we don't all have to be book smart. Oh buggers, G, you got me there.

Why start a blog?

It's a perfect time to begin something new as I celebrate life.

It's been exactly 1Y and 1D since J. Time has flown by. It's been a tumultuous year and Lent was definitely a very humbling period. But, life is always an upward struggle. The only thing we can do is help each other, even perfect strangers, giving a hand when we see someone about to fall.

Perhaps, I have some interesting things to contribute to society, or just sound like a pompous know-it-all.

I'm very much against plagiarism. I have all rights to this stuff under copyright. However, it isn't simply about protecting my intellectual property, but respect. Of course, feel free to properly cite or link to this material.

On a lighter note, please enjoy. And if not, I always like reading a dissenting opinion. Constructive criticism is always appreciated as I take another step forward to realize my dreams. Who doesn't enjoy a good debate or something to procrastinate with?