Breakfast in NYC

If you ever get the opportunity visit New York City, it has so much art to see. New Yorkers are friendly and helpful - and transport is more efficient and not as old as London.

The art scene is accessible and in every direction - from West Village, to Brooklyn & Queens, even the Bronx, Upper Manhattan and Downtown. Their China Town is big, and the smells remind me of where I grew up. The modernist architecture is monument-is. It's still light at 6pm in the winter. I feel like I've lived a lifetime there....perhaps it's the jet lag talking.

Time square is slightly scary. Grand Central station takes you back in time, art deco? nearly every train station has mosaic to admire. fluffy pancakes for breakfast, and a foot long hotdog with relish, sauerkraut, American mustard and ketchup for snack. still cannot remember a dime's worth, and how many make one dollar! I managed to spend under $100 - that's including food, travel and museum tickets over 5 days.

BTW, a decent cup of coffee was a lot harder to find than expected! my favourite place to browse and shop had to be Dean & DeLuca.

Left over food.

I often find I steam too much rice for dinner, so what to do with it the following day? Fry it!

This was the best fried rice I've had, didn't even need to add chilli sauce for flavour. I stir fried carrots & potatoes, ginger & garlic, pakchoi & choisum. So fresh and hot, straight off the heat. The key ingredient is oyster sauce.

Yum, I'm hungary all over again from just thinking about it!

Ginseng Soup

I made my very own first Ginseng Soup today. It was incredibly refreshing. I drank bowls of it throughout the day!

I then had it for supper, with egg noodles and vegetable. It's v easy to make, and heathy.

Happy Returns

My fiance returned from a 4 week trip. He was missed, and though friends and family are very pleased it was an empowering experience, we're glad to have him back. We shared homemade cake, cream & strawberries, cherries, Cornish ice-cream, and tea.

I've witness the value of friendship, how important it is to be surrounded by friends you will confide and fellowship with. How empowering we are to each other, especially when we share with each other our lives - the good and hard stuff. It opens doors and overrides polite barriers we may have when we're with someone we may not know very well. Generosity is key to friendship. It involves time, energy, love, creativity....and most important Food! I am very blessed, and feel very honoured to share cake and tea with people I call friends!

Icing On Top

A little more decorative today.

While they were being made - I was feasting my eyes on Delia's cooking book. She makes everything look so tasty. I wonder what's it like to bake for charity. Anyway - got a date with the mrs. our weekly dosage of suburban housewives. Since I've recognised it as something special its been even more enjoyable, a blessing - even over a controversial sitcom comedy.

Better late than never

Having started a blog - i thought I'd put a few photos up I'd like to share. I found them today on the SLR camera my parents gave me. A great pass me down gadget! In fact this gives me incentive to start taken photographs again.

I went through a phase of re-evaluating what photographing meant, the process and demand of looking through a pair of lens. How has it evolved our way of seeing things. how true an art form is it. Is it authentic, is it art? Why do I photograph, what am I photographing? Should it be valued more than painting.

For now, I photograph for field research...

Anyway - here are photos my parents took, I believe. Enjoy!

I remember a while ago, i knew someone who seemed really offended by my passionate discussion with some friends about food. Since then I have calmed down. A bit of self control to avoid petty disputes. I love food, i seem to talk about it more now that I've let Hong Kong - as my life isn't as privileged in opportunities to eat great food whenever i like; reasons in there being less affordable place to dine in London. The talking must be part of my obsessive nature...in fact, the only place i feel accepted to talk about food is when I'm with people from Hong Kong - they seem to have the same understanding.....eat! eat! eat!

I know of someone who has to eat before they pray , it's interconnected they explained!

Summer Fellowship!

London has been very fortunate to host sunshine over the last three weeks. My summer is becoming a social one! I'll have barbeque food every weekend - bring out the bratwurst and chicken wings! I've also spent an abundance pottering round the garden.

mmmm...could have another bratwurst now...