The Life of San Jose

Hey everyone~

It's been a while since I've written a post and so I would like to apologize for my inconsistency. I'll try harder to be more intune with my posts so that you guys know what's up. However, I would like to give props to Bunny for keeping up with the posts with a lot of interesting movies and books. As you all may have seen, we have decided to change our pseudonym from Mellon to Bunny and from Rawr to Bear after long consideration and administrative discussions.

So today's post is going to be very interesting because I had the pleasure of visiting Nor Cal around the San Jose area.

This was one of the views I had as I was coming up north from Los Angeles. It was really amazing and just serene.

Soon after, I was able to enjoy the nice environment of a park called the Memorial Park in Cupertino. This park apparently hold a lot of festivals and a Diwali Festival of Lights was happening while I was there. It was actually pretty cool and this park was definitely the best parks I've ever been to. Then shortly I was able to eat Hawaiian BBQ nearby, but I couldn't get any pictures of it sadly. However, all I can say is that the macaroni salad was bomb! It is one of the places I really want to revisit again and eat some BBQ.

Afterwards, I was able to enjoy the Festival and got a dessert called Fallooda (I think that's how it is spelled), which was a rose flavored ice cream drink. The taste was really good but inside the drink there were some sort of noodle strings in the drink, which honestly I could've done without. Then after we were able to go to Honeyberry and try some buns. Let me tell you if heaven was made out of buns they would use these to make heaven.

This is what it's called and it's a very humble store. Apparently, there are two or maybe even more stores that are open for business. However, this store is part of the original Honeyberry chain and it was just so, so delicious.

This was roti bun and it was just so good. I love the insides because it's just so soft like clouds.

This one was the butter bun and even though it's a little bit more expensive, I feel as though it was worth the money. It's so good there is a buttery coating inside and it's just mouth-watering

After we came here, we were able to go get a toffee flavored coffee, which was very refreshing. Soon after, I checked in my hotel and relaxed. Then it was time for dinner and we went to a Vietnamese restaurant to try something than Pho. I forget the name of the dish but let me tell you that not only is this dish tasty but way filling. It's pretty much only vegetables but after a few bites in, you magically become full.

This was the restaurant we went to

This was the mountain of vegetables, filled with lettuce, basil, cilantro, and other good stuff

We separated the vegetables, and as you can see we also get fish sauce

This is what it looks like~ The outside is some sort of crispy, fried substance

Inside, there are a lot of meat and bean sprouts

This was the aftermath of the dinner... so, filling!

After such a dinner, I slept and the next morning I was in for a surprise because I was taken to a great dim sum place near Milpitas. Honestly, if you never had dim sum... you are leading a very sad life... GO GET SOME! For people who do not know how dim sum works, you sit down on a table and instead of ordering from a menu, you have waiters/waitresses walking around with carts and you pick the ones you want to eat from the cart. They then tabulate what you get onto a card, which you turn in at the end of you meal to determine your check.

This was probably the shrimp dim sum

This one was definitely one of my favorites. It was so good that I ordered extras to take home!

This was probably the scallop dim sum


This one is like a sesame bum with beans inside and also some sticky rice to the side~


This one was my favorite of all the dishes I had and it's just so good and tasty. Don't worry the sauce around the dim sum isn't soy sauce and yes you do eat it like that. The texture is so soft and it just melts in your mouth! Sooo GOOD!!

Other dim sum items

In the end, my trip up north was one of the best vacations I've ever been on. I couldn't have asked for more and it was just blessing experience to try so many new things with all of them turning out great. I hope to visit again soon because I just had a great time here~ Go visit if you have the time!

Tofu also came with me to keep me company, and as you can see he also had a great time relaxing :]

"There is no sincerer love than the love of food."

- George Bernard Shaw

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

I have finally finished this book which I started a while ago.

I enjoyed The Joy Luck Club and The Hundred Secret Senses, both by Amy Tan, so when an article said that Lisa See is the next Amy Tan, I had to read her work.

I realized that there will be a movie based on this novel. Since I never like watching the movie first before reading the original book, it was my intention to finish the book before the movie was released. It seems like the movie did not do quite well in the box office. Regardless, I plan on watching the movie sooner or later.


The book's main theme is the friendship between two Chinese women in 19th century. Mainly due to the setting of the novel, it contains vast amount of cultural tradition, customs and idealism in 19th century China. Growing up in relatively traditional Asian family, I was able to comprehend many of the idealism and traditions. However, many non-Asian-culture-friendly readers may not understand certain aspects or tilt their head about eccentric customs. What all readers should understand, in my opinion, is that most Asian tradition is based on spiritual symbolism and patriarchal lineage.

The book mostly deals with women tradition and stories. One of those that Lisa See chose to elaborate was the foot binding. The book describes that based on the size and the shape of the bound foot, women can achieve happy life or can be thrown into a pit of misery. The process of foot binding requires breaking bones in each foot to shape them into small, beautiful and perfect "golden lilies." The smaller your bound feet are, the better family you will marry into for better status and life. Based on the book, main characters, Lily and Snow Flower's feet were perfect in shape and size to ensure their happiness.

In case you wonder, like I did, what bound feet looks like or how small they become, I add a picture.

When I visited Hong Kong when I was very young, I remember seeing a small pair of shoes of display in a museum. Please, correct me if I am wrong, but those shoes were to be put on young girls to prevent their feet from growing any bigger. The reason as written on the description panel was that it was to prevent any young women from running away either from their future husband or family. Lisa See repeatedly states throughout the book that women are worthless and is considered nothing more than bearers of children.


Another women tradition mentioned and utilized is nu shu, women's secret writing. In the author's note, Lisa See explains her study and journey to discover and understand the words and songs women used to express themselves. Women in "ancient" China did not have much right to meddle with the "outside realm of men" and were expected to sit in upstairs chambers quietly. Since they were not allowed to be educated or learn "men's writing," women invented women's secret writing, nu shu, to be kept hidden from men's knowledge. It is this nu shu that Snow Flower and Lily write on their secret fan, symbol of their everlasting friendship.


Besides unusual traditions and customs, the journey of two laotong, or old sames, continues, for better or worse, as their lives goes on, changes and comes to an end.


To be honest, I could not hold my tears toward the end of the novel and I believe it is because I saw myself in Lily and Snow Flower. We need and aspire someone to love and someone who will love us unconditionally. Maybe you will find a piece of yourself in Lily or Snow Flower.



Well, now the wait for the movie to be released on DVD!! :]

"When a girl, obey your father; when a wife, obey your husband; when a widow, obey your son. But my mother-in-law taught me another axiom one day, when she was aggravated with her husband: "Obey, obey, obey, then do what you want.""

- From Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See -

Cinderella III: A Twist in Time

After watching The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, I found a link to this movie. I heard about the first sequel being bad. I actually have it on my DVD rack, but never had the chance to watch it. When I saw the link, I thought, why not.


Although Cinderella is the most popular and famous Disney character of all, I personally am not so fond of it. Maybe it is because she is so helpless and portrays the image that a woman's life solely depends on the guy she meets. I know that the first Cinderella movie was made in 1950, but this sequel was made in 2007, way after Ariel and Belle came along. Maybe that is why I expected Cinderella to be more active and independent, seeking some personal development.

Well, the movie did the exact opposite.


Here goes my very sarcastic summary and review of the movie.




The movie starts with Fairy Godmother trying to throw a nice dinner party(?) for the newly wedded couple. In the middle of her usual 'Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," she somehow manages to toss the wand. Yea, because she is that old and have shaky hands. And guess what, one of the sisters, Anastasia picks up the wand and bring it home.

Lady Tremaine: "Oh yes, the wand!! I'm the ultimate villain now!!!!"
Sisters: "Yay~"

Lady Tremaine: "Anastasia, since you brought the wand, I will let you get married to the prince."
(Here, she is being reasonable and kind to let Anastasia be the one instead of Drizella, because she is the one who found the wand.)

Anastasia: "Thanks mom!! Will the prince really love me? I always wanted someone to love me."

(Here, we see that she is a helplessly romantic person.)

Cinderella: "You can't do that. Prince will know that I am the one he wants to marry as soon as he sees me. And my shoe size is 4 and 1/2."
(She is being very confident that her beauty captured the prince's heart entirely. She is implying that she shall marry no one but the prince.)

Cinderella: "Sister, let me handle this with this wand our mother stole from my fairy godmother. Obviously, you have no right to have happily ever after because I will get married to the prince and be a princess."

Cinderella: "Now I finally will have Prince Charming!! I knew it would end like this."
Prince: "You are so beautiful...unlike your ugly sister that I did not feel anything by touching hands. I will marry you though I didn't even know your name two minutes ago."
(Here, if you look carefully in the picture, Cinderella is smirking. As if to say, I've won the battle b***h. And also, you can tell Prince Charming obviously wants her as a trophy wife.)

Well, at the end, Prince Charming and Cinderella get married and live happily ever after again. One question about the picture below: I thought Cinderella was the main character in the movie? Why did she turn her head to the right to kiss? She should have turned left to show more of her face? I don't know. I'm weird.

I understand that the whole theme is supposed to be "true love is the greatest thing of all." But what I don't understand is, why does Cinderella have to act like a gold digger? And other thing, why did Disney have to draw her as a blonde with blue eyes? I guess the original movie was indeed made in 1950.

In my view, her sister Anastasia is more genuine and considerate. She believes in true love and have a heart to yield and wish Cinderella the happiness. From what I have read, the Cinderella II is about Anastasia finding her true love. I am kind of glad that I watched this sequel first, because it would be more chronologically correct.


I have read this line from somewhere (it is not exactly how it was worded):
Rich, smart and good-looking men do not want girls with pretty face, sexy body and an empty brain. They would rather get married to smart, ugly girls and spend a small part of their fortune to make them beautiful. You can hide and improve your looks, but an empty brain cannot be hidden in any way.

What I am saying is, if you dream about fairy tale and the prince coming to rescue you from all misery of life, you probably won't get it. It is not likely to happen in real life, anyways. Why do you think Disney and other TV shows make so much money out of "happily ever after"?



My final comment is, I am just glad that Ariel and Belle came along to change the image and role of heroines, and hope that the trend continues.

And here is one thing that Cinderella got right in the entire movie (there is a reason why 'fantasy' is called 'fantasy').

"I've always dreamed, that my life could be like a fairy tale, a perfect fantasy. 

But it was nothing more than a dream."

-Cinderella in Cinderella III: A Twist in Time -

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning

Wondering around YouTube, you can find a lot of "weird" stuff. Anyways.

I love corny Disney movies. I love their princess stories and fairy tales. What I really love, however, is not how they meet their Prince, fall in love and live happily ever after. What I really enjoy watching is their life. What really goes on besides the pursuit of true love.

Well, until today, I never realized that this prequel to one of my favorite Disney movies was even made. I was so excited and started watching right away!!....although I really shouldn't have....



The movie starts when all princesses were only little kids. Queen Athena who is King Triton's wife and Ariel's mother appears in the movie. She looks very much like grown-up Ariel, except for the hair and tail color, I guess.

Here are the baby mermaid princesses!!! But I have one question: how did brownish-haired King and auburn-haired Queen have children with seven different hair colors?? Hm...maybe it's the fish thing??

 

Anyways, this is what they grew up to be. You can see more of each sister's personality and character in this movie, which I enjoyed a lot. I think they are all kinda cute. :]

 

I didn't realize that they have rainbow color coded tails.... Now that I think about the tail color, both King and Queen's tails were deep blue..... Only Ariel and Aquata appear reasonable to be their daughters. Maybe other five different merman unknowingly fertilized eggs that Queen laid? They are fish, after all. (Sorry, nerd joke)

By the way, do you know what their names are?(hint: all names start with 'A')

Highlight to reveal the answer: from the left, in the grown-up version, Arista, Attina, Adella, Ariel, Alana, Andrina, and Aquata.

Anyways, what is the fun without one bad person? Her name is Marina Del Rey. Her tail is purple and so is her hair and outfit. Well, her hair...kinda can change colors depending on what she feels like. You will understand her hair secret if you watch the movie. :]

Obviously, Marina was jealous that Ariel got to have some fantastic scenes like this in the original movie: 

So as a diva she is, she had to have a dramatic "I'm on a rock with my mouth open and the peacock tail made out of water is behind me" moment.

Another new character in this movie: the green blob(?) massaging Marina is Benjamin. He is a manatee. Well, my favorite little mermaid character has been, undoubtedly, Ariel. After watching this prequel, now cute green Benjamin is my new favorite.

Oh my gosh, look at that round body and cute eyes..... The voice actor did a wonderful job of portraying his character. 

And this is Benjamin in real life... The tail looks exactly the same as in the movie.

Anyways, this movie is really great. I kind of wished that they added in more stories, like how Ariel got to meet Scuttle or how she started to have interest in the human world, etc. But overall, the movie is well-made and fun. Now I need to go watch The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.

After thought: Now that I watched the prequel, I wonder if they can add in Benjamin to the other movies as well.... He makes the movie so much cuter and better!! Oh, and he kindly gives us what the main lesson in the movie was. :]

"Let's think about what we've learned here. 

You just can't hurt people. Hurting is mean. We don't wanna be mean, do we?"

- Benjamin in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning -

My Vegetable and Fruit Garden

This posting is about "my" little garden.

There is a small area behind the house. My grandma was visiting my house because we moved, and she took charge to transform the land into fertile vegetable garden. She basically took care of everything. Now that she has gone back, I water them, sort and organize them, pull out weeds, talk and sing to them. It is quite fun work.

At the beginning, since the quality of the soil was so bad, we had to add a lot of fertilized soil. After pouring and mixing soil, we kind of sectioned the area to plant different vegetables.

We only planted seeds. No baby plants were used. We bought lettuce, tomato, bell pepper, broccoli, sweet basil and perilla(a leaf of perilla, which is kind of another species of sesame plant whose leaves are edible vegetable). We planted those seeds. Well, more like we "sprinkled" them. No one thought that all those seeds would actually sprout and grow, I guess.


My grandma loves mango, so we had a box of mango from Costco. I thought, 'oh well why not?'So the mango seeds were saved to be planted. The melon seeds from the melon fruit were saved, as well.


It has been about a month since the seeds were planted. Here are some pictures of the garden now.




The lettuce section. Since we simply "sprinkled" the seeds instead of sowing them individually, it is quite crowded. We already plucked and ate some of the bigger leaves and they were delicious. :]

The basil. I planted them in this pot that says, 'Basil' on its side. Apparently I put too many seeds so I had to transplant some of them. It is still a bit crowded though.....
 

These are the ones I transplanted.

Tomatoes! They have grown so much in a month!! They already flowered and producing nice, round tomatoes!!!

This is the perilla plant. They are also crowded. I need to separate and plant them in a nicely organized way. In case you do not know what these are, perilla leaves are used mostly in Asian foods. One example is that you use these leaves, along with lettuce, to wrap the Korean Barbeque. Mmm.... Hungry.....

This is the huge lane of melon plant. They grew so big and started to invade other plant sections. I had to guide them towards the back because they started grabbing onto neighboring plants with their vines.

The Melon started producing the fruit. They grow very quickly. If you see a fruit growing, you should trim the budding flowers to direct the nutrition toward producing a nice sweet fruit.

This is a big one. :]

Look who is hiding behind the leaves~ Oh, and as you can see, I trimmed the stem on the left side because a lot of flower buds were starting to grow.

As you can see, all those small round things will grow to be a fruit. I can't wait to see all those melons.

This one is the mango. I was a bit surprised when they emerged, because planting the mango seed was kind of an experiment/joke. But they are all healthy and growing "Lightning-McQueen-fast." :]

The aerial view of the baby mango trees.

I planted more mango seeds in a pot. I mean, we ate a whole box of mangoes. They are doing very well and I am proud of them.

I started growing avocados as well, from the seed. I planted them but it will take a very long time for them to come out of their hard shell. One of the avocado seeds are being germinated in water, as I have seen in many YouTube videos. No progress yet, but I will post how it is doing when something happens.


Anyways, it is really fun watering them every evening and observing them growing. It is kind of exciting when you realize they have grown or started producing fruits.

Besides these vegetable and fruit plants, I do have some flowering plants. I recently sow Aubrieta seeds in a beautiful flower-shaped pot. My peace lily and orchids are a bit sad because I have been putting so much effort into vegetables and fruits. I gave my mini rose, which I got as a gift a while ago, some rose plant food today, hoping it would have enough energy to make flower buds again.


Hm... I actually didn't realize that I had so much plants in my care.....

Regardless, with some time for watering and lots of love, I hope these plants grow to be healthy and gorgeous.

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth,

and no culture comparable to that of the garden."

-Thomas Jefferson