Who doesn't love fruits?

I was just having my dinner in the dinning hall in Woodruff when my friend and I started talking about fruits. Both he and I believe that fruits are an very important part of the diet and is essential to leading a health life. There were oranges, apples and bananas in the racks and I would usually take a couple of oranges from there. These fruits not only provide the vitamins my body needs but also serve as an air freshener when I keep them in my room. Whenever someone enters my room, they would say there is a fruity smell and they would ask me how I did that. But I always told them I had secret ways of keeping my room smelling fresh. The oranges, when kept in a bottle, can act as a bug catcher because it attracts the insects into the bottle. From medical points of view, the oranges contain vitamin C which reduce the chances of vitamin deficiency and also increase the body's defenses against germs and bacteria. Many people used to tell me to eat drink large quantities of orange juices whenever I fall sick. They would always say that it will help me get better quickly and I can see why that works now. That is why I go there and pick up a fruit every time.

picture sources: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr9KPChZ39szZSpK3PKPmErn0JFun3d9J0pc6XxeQAWSKC4WoWed5YY4rZnUkgFeCqzE9ZF52epOD_UQ-qM2-FYPFggxdOx_LDHVqCEJLsqwkgDbrHuAlvjmsIx_Z4uEO2_Jdulbe21c/s400/funny-oranges-photos.jpg

HW#1(Revised) Dumplings, mother and the coin

Being the most classical traditional food in China, dumplings have been blessed with various layers of meanings: togetherness, happiness and best wishes for the next year. As for me, they are not simply boat-shaped rolls which have delicious stuffing; instead they are the source of my confidence and the symbol of my mother’s love.

I can still vaguely recall that it was the time when Spring Festival was around the corner, every family was busy with buying flour, making dough and cooking dumplings with tasty filling, including pork, celery and cooked tomatoes, just name a few. Every single person seemed to enjoy the upcoming feast of dumplings and be immersed in the joyful atmosphere.

The only exception was me.

Back then, I was still a very shy girl who rarely dared to speak out my perceptions and perspectives. With a personality like this, I could hardly receive any compliments from my teachers or build friendship with my classmates. Due to all of these reasons, I eventually lost my confidence and couldn’t help thinking I was the most unfortunate girl in the world. I considered this as one of the most significant festivals of the Chinese as any other ordinary days in addition to some dumplings.

It was at that night when my mother called upon all of my family members and announced that from then on, we would initiate a new custom. The rule was simple: she would wrap a coin in one of the dumplings and whoever got this coin would be considered as the luckiest one in our family for the upcoming year.

“What kind of difference will that stupid dumpling make?” Being unsatisfied and skeptical about this idea, I just grabbed the plate from her hand and sat down.

Not blaming me for my rude interruption, my mother just smiled and handed everyone a plate served with hot and mouthwatering dumplings. With absolutely no interest in my mother’s childish little game, I just wanted to finish this plate and go back to my room as soon as possible. However, as I dug into my plate, my mother whisked away the plate in front of me, saying, “This is too much for you.” and handed out hers to me.

Quietness took hold of the rest of the meal, until my unexpected discovery broke this awkward silence. I felt a weirdly cold and hard object scratching my teeth.

It was that coin.

With great excitement and suspicion, I stared at my mother who already had “pride” written all over her face.

“My daughter will be the luckiest girl in this whole year!” She exclaimed, mixed with happiness and affirmation.

After I started to believe that I was the one who would be accompanied with good luck, I finally made a difference in my life. There is such a thing called confidence breaking into my life as time elapsed. Blessed by that magical dumpling, I could manage the interpersonal relationship and handle my school work much better. What is more, I began to look forward to the Spring Festival, the very beautiful occasion, and I could not wait to taste some of the excellent dumplings to find out if my luck could last.

Every Spring Festival, mom served us with dumplings.

Every year, she played this same little game.

Every year, somehow it was me who would always get the lucky dumpling.

Gradually, eating a lot of dumplings became part of life. Each time I felt depressed or lost, I would resort to dumplings to seek for comfort and power, regardless whether they had coins stuffed in them or not. But time by time, I accumulated experience and skills through these failure and success, eventually, I grew up to an age when I no longer needed the “magic” dumplings to build my confidence in life. My becoming mature and considerate urged me to doubt whether the “magic" could ever possibly happen.

Lying in the plate neatly, every single one of them looked like an exquisite piece of art work, glowing with the same charming pearl color and spreading the similar inviting smell. It seemed that these dumplings were nothing special. Nevertheless, the only difference is that there would always be one dumpling with a coin hidden in it appeared on my plate.

Last Spring Festival, just as the time when I decided to give up on the search of my mother’s little secret and lived in the peace with the small world that I was the most fortunate one, my mother invited me to her kitchen, the place where I had rarely stepped into because of various excuses. She was busy with going through all the preparations before making dumplings. All I did was standing there and watching her running back and forth. The process was tiring and time-consuming, nothing special. But as she started to cook the dumplings, I finally revealed the secret I longed to discover: She stuffed a well-washed coin into a dumpling, wrapped it up and boiled it in a separate little pot. By this way she could always ensure that special dumpling was served to me.

She placed the special dumpling onto my plate, smiled and handed it to me. Holding the plate in both hands, I was speechless; a simple “thank you” could never reward her effort. I was deeply touched by her dedication to rebuild my confidence through tirelessly adopting this intelligent method and being tolerant to me over the years. I felt an upwelling of emotion inside my chest and tears started to roll down on my cheeks, I handed the fortunate dumpling back to her carefully and gave her a hug which I had owed her for years.

There was no such a thing as lucky dumpling in the world. It was she who made the miracle happened to me. From then on, my favorite food was still the inviting dumplings, but I no longer need to eat the so-called “lucky” dumplings because I have already gotten mine, my sweet and beloved mother.





picture: 1."homemade dumplings" from xiapu.com http://www.ixiapu.com/bbs/attachment/47_148_daa083752b0a3a8.jpg 2."dumplings" by feixue from bbs.ssfeng.com http://bbs.ssfeng.com/bbs/attachments/month_0609/1a9yNfTo63Suw==_sktwNSzDwiy7.jpg

Food For Thought

All-nighters. The last line of defense. Weather they're used for last minute test preparation or work thats been put off for too long, they are the last chance we have to get work done. The last all-nighter I pulled was to study for a chemistry test. I walked into the library, determined not to leave until I had finished my work. But eventually three hours of studying began to wear me out and sleep began to creep in. I decided to get a cup of coffee hoping it would help me stay alert. I went to the first floor of the library and headed towards Jazzman's cafe.

"One large caramel latte please.Oh and a smoked turkey sandwich." Maybe my semi-comatose state clouded by judgement but that was the best cup of coffee I've ever had. The blend of cream and caramel was just delicious. It even made the cold turkey sandwich taste good. Newly energized, I got back to my work and a few hours later finished it. So the next time you're at the library and in need of some refreshment, a creamy cup of coffee is only a few feet away.

Revised HW #1

Michael Miller

Sweet! Warm! Buttery!


The last Thursday of every November contains many different memories for each person. Whether it involves being with their family around one big table or all the great food that slowly fades away from the plates. For me, the food and the football were the exciting highlights of Thanksgiving, but when I just say food that is an understatement of what I really mean. The tender turkey, the steaming hot stuffing containing many different ingredients, and the bright orange sweet potatoes with slightly burnt marshmallows on top are the types of food that streams across my mind when I think of Thanksgiving. As I sit and ponder on not only the food but also the name of the holiday, I remember the meaning of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is not just a day to eat as much food as possible; it defines as a day of giving thanks for the things we hold dear in our lives. By that second definition, I realize how much that ties into my family during Thanksgiving. My brothers and I giving our charming opinions on what we think of each other reminds me of just one little memory of giving thanks on the last Thursday of November. There is more to that great day that sticks in my head when I hear “Thanksgiving.” My mother! I thank her for the family that she has created and the wonderful dessert she uses to finish off the day. Dessert sends chills down my spine when the word registers with my brain. Yes, all the great food that we eat before the end of the day grants happiness to my stomach, but dessert, the dessert that my mom makes is almost an unexplainable taste.




http://www.whatwereeating.com/food-photos/2006-11-27_pumpkin-pie.jpg



Every Thanksgiving my mom makes the most delicious pumpkin pie that I have ever laid my taste buds on. For some reason, I always leave just enough room in my stomach for at least one whole pie. No matter how much turkey or stuffing I eat to make me full, I cannot resist the sweet, warm, buttery taste of my mom’s pumpkin pie. Many different secret ingredients go into the making of this pie, and somehow, either the art of my mom’s mixing or the amount of each individual ingredient forces my body into liking the pie. Do not get me wrong though; I do not like every pumpkin pie that I put in my mouth, only the pie that is crafted from my mother sends excitement to my stomach. Also, it is not like other foods in the sense that if I eat too much I will feel horrible after eating it. I can eat this pumpkin pie for days and never once will I feel sick. Although the taste is insurpassable to my taste buds, the sight I receive from the pumpkin pie is also very convincing. The light brown color that layers the top of the pumpkin pie draws my eyes into the dessert. The perfect circle created from the pie sheet has the crust extended just slightly above the outer pie sheet. As I stare drooling at the well rounded piece of pie, one of many thoughts in my brain tends to be if it is possible for a human being to say no to such a magnificent food. Yes, the looks of the pie draws a lot of attention, but when the oven is slightly cracked open the aroma that comes off of the tip of the pie is considered the icing on the cake. Once the smell reaches my nostrils, I am guaranteed to have a piece of that pie and many more pieces after that. My nose calculates the scent of warm fresh baked pie, and I’m trapped into having a piece. After re thinking the beauty of the dessert for after Thanksgiving, I am in a state of need for my mother’s pumpkin pie.

Of course the taste, smell, and looks lure me into having a whole pie after a huge Thanksgiving meal, but the most pivotal part of the whole dessert has yet to be mixed in with this pie. Once that perfectly sliced triangle of pie is placed on my side plate, I top the whole dessert off with the finest homemade whip cream I have ever tried. Even though the pie itself is perfect, the topping adds a whole new level of taste to the dessert. Not only on top though, I cover the whole pie with the freshly made cream, so that it blankets the slice of pie completely.

Warm pumpkin pie plus rich whipped cream equals a place in paradise when I consume this dessert after Thanksgiving. Although I am referring this meal to a dessert for after Thanksgiving, I sometimes suffer withdrawals from the incredible taste of pumpkin pie that I have to ask my mom to make the pie on certain weekends. Also, the pie is used as a great dessert in my family for other holidays such as: Christmas and Easter. One day when I was in fifth grade, my mom actually made enough pie for my whole class to each have a piece with some whipped cream, and I can remember all the questions I received that day about how she makes it and if she could send the recipe to their family. The memorable dessert dwell as a legend in my family and I will one day try to pass that great tradition down to my kids like my grandmother did for my mom. As easy as it is to hope and think that, I am not sure if I am capable of creating such a great piece of food like my mother has so well learned to do. The next time you decide to have a dessert to eat after Thanksgiving, just remember that I am sitting at my table with a warm buttery homemade pumpkin pie completely covered with white homemade whipped cream, which in five minutes will vanish from my plate.

HW1 revised

Being Happy Walking on A Thorny Road

Another end of the world had always been attractive, but like exploring the green land in a desert, underneath curiosity and enthusiasm was fear. Life was not easy all of the time. Contrary to what scientists said about us changing the environment, we are the ones who have to adapt to changes most of the time; for it would be naive to restrict the world in its course of actions. What we could do is being happy on the way of fitting in the world.

My first days in the U.S. were tough with respect to food. Before coming to the States my friends, who went to high school here, told me that the food was horrible. Because of this, I brought a suitcase of Chinese snacks with me. I had no idea what was ahead of me. I knew there would certainly be difficulties getting accustomed to American food and my experience with Brittain dining hall gave me more than I ever expected.

It’s time to eat. Unlike its old-looking outside, neat tables and chairs, soft light and polite food servers picture a warm atmosphere as I walk in. The Food there is shining, smiling at me, and waiting for me to call its name. I am impressed. I want to say its name loudly and have it. But all of a sudden, I find myself at a loss of words…

The first challenge I confronted was to get what I want. I didn’t know the names of food in the Brittain dining hall. I wanted to call for things but didn’t know how. I tried to listen to what others called the food, but the names went away so fast like a shy girl saying her name. Even though I heard it many times, I still couldn’t figure what it was.

What should I do? If I couldn’t speak, what would they get me? Nervousness occupies me and I begin to look around. Every line is moving forward smoothly with plates full of food. I stand there helplessly, wondering which line to follow. A word from distance abruptly solves the puzzle, but I still have to find a better solution…

I heard somebody yelled “hamburger” and I caught it. I got a hamburger for my first meal here. While not a terrible beginning, I couldn’t just have hamburgers every day so I started to learn. I was really embarrassed to ask around about names of food, especially when people were so nice to tell me many times, but I still couldn’t say it properly.

I wish there is a hole for me to bury myself in. However, ostrich’s way couldn’t bring anything better. I keep crawling forward and see some weak lights coming out of the gash of darkness…

After some a month, I learned a lot of new stuffs and was able to get what I wanted, eventually. It was not easy. Sometimes I even asked others to spell and write the names down for me. Life was not easy and it would not be. Another big challenge was coming quietly.

It is about dinner time. Surrounded by all kinds of noises, I sit by myself at a corner of a long table. Nobody is talking to me and I don’t really hear anything, either. My mind stops working. My body is like floating at the middle of nowhere, with hands and mouth mechanically moving up and down. Five bowls, filled with raw vegetables, wake me out of my quiet and stationary world. I feel people I know sit around me. I lift up my head, but only see five rabbits…

Another challenge for me was that I had to eat salad every day, just as a rabbit does, as this was the only vegetarian food that did not taste strange to me. Other cooked vegetables simply extended my imagination and reversed my definition of food.

Perfect appearance, freshness revealed by bright colors, how lovely it is. I’d better get a lot of it since it would probably be out soon. But I am fooled…

There was no question about the attractive looking; however, the taste was another story which had absolutely nothing to do with how it looked whatsoever.

What did I swallow? There is no taste. No salt, no pepper, no sauce, it tastes like colorful solid purified water; it doesn’tt even taste like a vegetable! I hope this won’t happen again…

I had tried again but only received disappointment time after time. I turned to salad. At least it had taste due to Thousand Island sauce that I put in it. After few transitional days, I managed to swallow one bowl of it every day and decided it was the essential in my diet since that’s the best I could have in the dining hall. I did not realize what I was doing until some day I was talking about my pets with my Chinese friends.

Why do these green leaves and carrots look so familiar to me? I must have stories with them some time in the past. Right! That’s exactly what I feed to my rabbit! I am a rabbit myself now…

I thought it was just me. I was wrong. Walking around the dining hall, almost all my Chinese friends ran out of choices but to become rabbits. More and more of them had already overcome the struggle of being rabbits. I thought they were doing this unconsciously, but when I asked “don’t you feel like a rabbit”, the answer was “what’s wrong with being a rabbit? If being a rabbit is the only way to survive, be a rabbit.”

There was nothing wrong with being a rabbit. Moreover, I would make the effort to be a happy one. Learning and making changes to fit in the new world was not easy, but that was what the strong do. Even knowing there would be a thorny road ahead, I still tried to go forward with a smile on my face. It was that kind of will that accompanied me coming to today’s position and I believe it would lead me to where I want to go.

Picture:
http://hiphotos.baidu.com/dovecs/pic/item/060e14aff66907e97dd92a77.jpg
http://www.psychologytoday.com/files/u15/Happiness_1.jpg

Food Festival in Tech Square!

Hey Foodies!

I'm sure you've heard about this, but the Taste of Atlanta Food Festival is happening from October 10-11th in Tech Square! If you use the promo code TECH you'll get $5 off the general admission ticket price (currently $25, after Oct. 9th $30). It seems like it'll be great fun: you get to watch live cooking, listen to live music, and sample food from booths set up by various restaurants and chefs. (Each ticket comes with 15 "Taste" coupons which allow you to sample various foods.)

Click here to visit the site for more details or to buy tickets! There's a good chance I'll be going, and if there's a critical mass of us, maybe we can meet up and make it kind of like a class outing!

Dr. Tiff (who is "GT Foodies"....it's a long story).

late nite dish

While packing to come here my mum gave me loads of stuff to eat....not that i dont get anythin to eat here...but when once in a while i miss the food back home theres I have the things that would remind me of it. In india they have these great inventions welll not inventions ideas like the ready to cook ones here. just a simple powder mix or something where you just have to add boiling water and stir continuosly...Its just a 2 minute . Its usually also for late nights when the dining hall is closed and my hunger pangs have started!

Recently i made rice and sambar. Very easy to make, had bought like a mini microwave cooker for the rice. Just takes 15 minutes. The sambar is a like a powdery mix which i had also brought. Just had to add hot water to it . Mixed it with the rice and my late nite dish was prepared. All these packets of ready to cooks are i guess the best ideas that cooks have come up with till date. Usuallly the cookbook writers and cooking show host are the ones with these brilliant ideas!We too back home have famous cooks and cookbook writers who have actually started commercializing, as these products sell more than their tv shows and books.