Indian Recipe and Autumn List

I wanted to share most of my Autumn List on here as well as a new Indian dish I made. The main dish was called Murgh Tamatari and the side dish I made was called Kele ka Raita. Basically chicken, with some nice spices, and tomatoes, in order to have a nice and tasty sauce to go with the chicken. It took me about an hour and a half in all, mostly for the chicken to cook fully since that takes time. As for the Kele ka Raita, it's a nice yogurt dish, with bananas and a few spices. As my sister put it, it tastes better than it looks. To put you at ease, it doesn't look too exotic and foreign, so nothing to be afraid of.

As for my Autumn List, some things include going to Starbucks and Barnes and Noble more often. It's always nice to go to bookstores and coffee shops during this time of year. I also love to see the colors change during Autumn, and love taking pictures of the changing colors of leaves and the trees. I want to get into baking! I do have some recipes that I want to try out, just need to make some extra time and inspiration for that. That's what goas are for I guess. I want to learn how to code, like mentioned in a previous post, or any kind of tech/computer lingo would be nice. Dress up for Halloween this year. Sometimes I get kind of lazy and unmotivated, but it's nice to get into the spirit and do something different for a change. Learn Hindi. I want to finish at least 8 books this Fall season, and the nice thing is that I know finding a book to read is never hard for me. I want to contribute something to Thanksgiving this year, whether that be rolls, Pumpkin Pie or a nice side dish. I think it would also be good to make a 2-3 year plan for myself, all the things I want to do and accomplish in that amount of time, and also something cool to look back on as well! So there were a few of my goals for this Autumn. I'm excited to see how much I can accomplsih in these few months!

Enjoying the nice grass on campus!

Remembering a Jewel

Yesterday was the anniversary of my Grandma's death. I remember her not through her words, her smell or even her laugh, but her jewelry. I later found out that she also liked big statemtent jewelry, knowing that I too connect with this exotic and fun look that she was able to pull off as well. As a young girl I didn't notice it as much, and big jewerly hadn't always been my thing until a couple of years ago. I love statement jewerly and am a sucker for buying a good amount for a cheap price at consienment stores. They're also the best because no one else has this kind of jewerly, it truly feels like you are buying one of a kind. My Grandma was one of a kind, and I wear her pieces of jewelry a lot in memory of her and the fact that I get to express myself through her dazzled jewels.

She loved owls. I keep this little guy on my desk;)

I know that my Grandma and I were a lot different. She was a drama queen and I'm a subtle princess; she was a worry wort and I'm as cool as a cucumber; and she was a lipstick wearing, stylish extravert, and I'm a loud minded, creative introvert. I only called her Grandma, nothing else. I feel that there wasn't anything else to say. No Grams, G, or Grammy. But she still had the sweet voice and touch like all Grandmas do. She had the stubborn streak that seemed to be passed down onto my family, and a shade of it was left over for me. I remember she was really into sports and sports teams, the way my Mom is passionate about it now, always reading the newspaper and keeping on top of the latest events. I also remember her champagne taste, and her love of pristine designs, mouth watering food and the freedom to travel. How much I have learned and realized about myself in the process after these years. We are  almost exactly opposite that it's almost funny thinking about. But I wouldn't be here without her, she is part of my family, my heritage and my story. And though my memoires of her aren't super sharp and detailed or warm and glowing, I still know that she holds a special place in my heart, her belongings help me keep a part of her with me. May you rest in peace Grandma.

The beautiful sunset. My favorite time of day, I had to capture it. I'm sure Grandma would love it too!

School days, B&N nights, and a new language

On my last night of summer I went to Barnes &Noble. Something about going there at night opens up my mind more to the books and materials around me. I feel more inspired for some reason, maybe because I consider myself a night owl. Also, on a week night there are less people, so it's easier to browse and hear the calm, laid back music better. I wanted this post to also be about my Autumn list, a bucket/goals lists this Fall. I havven't fully finished my thoughts on that one, and want to make it good and meaningful, not rushed or forced, since you can always tell when something is rushed or forced. But, I will say that the two things that I did at B&N that night will most likely be on my Autumn list:)

This item will not just be on my to do list for this season of everything pumpkin, plaid and fall sweaters;I also put it on my 24 list that has to do with accomplishing 24 things in my 24th year, so technically I have another 9 months to go if all else fails. So obviously, it must be something important or should I say daring and maybe even an ounce of extremeness. This goal of mine is to learn how to code. Yes, I know, coding. I would not consider myself a sciency, mathematics, computer geek person, or even someone who considers themselves good at it, but I feel that it wold be useful to learn, even just a little. But like I said, I am always up for a good chanlleng and feel that I am determined to get down at least the basics, the jargon and the language. I'm aiming at learning Java or Javascript.

 So that night, I found the technology section and started reading a few compiter sciency books about Java. There was one in partciular that I found to be interesting, engaging and even should I say enjoyable to read? Unheard of, but I admit it to be true. I think this is a good challenge for my artsy, wavy, colorful mind.

The other thing that will most likely be on this Autumn list, that I just made up only a few days ago, is something that I also looked around for at B&N, but was dissappointed to find out that they don't carry any, at least none that I saw. But thank goodness for libraries because I checked out a book on it today! By this point, you're probably anxious to know what this second thing might be, Well, this goes back to my wavy mind, going all over the place at times. So here it goes.. I want to learn Hindi. Yes, the Hindi language. I am interested in knowing how to speak, read, write, the whole shabang. I have been thinking about learning this language for sometime. I guess not a lot,a lot of time if you were to count, but a good enough amount of time for me. I researched to find that Hindi is the 4th most spoken language in the world. I also researched to find that in my language binder, (where I keep all of my foreign language materials), I wrote a list back in 2014 regarding languages I would like to learn some day. I think it is far too long looking back now, but still thought it was interesting seeing again. As you can see, I did put Hindi on the list. :)

 Language is my passion, and Chinese has been on my learning plate for a good amount of time, almost three years. Of course I wont give it up for good, but feel that I am itching for more, to learn more in something else. I have had a good amount of Indian friends throughout my schooling, more than Chinese. I feel that there is a lot of relevance in learning a language such as Hindi. I don't think it's going to be easy, I'm not doing it because of that. If it was, I don't think it would be very interesting for me. I want to be able to watch more bollywood films, dive more into the culture, the food, the music which I really like. To understand things more from that side of the world. I feel that it's so important as a citizen of this country to understand and seek various perspectives. When you learn a language, you can reach so many more people, who either have that same interest or know it themselves. I want to be where that action is at.


So, as I was saying that I couldn't find any Hindi language books becasue there were none, I came across a book that I remember seeing in Anthropologie about a year ago. The book is called Lost in Translation, the point being that some words in various languages aren't always easy to translate. I thought it was super cute the first time I saw it, and wanted to capture some of my favorite words and explanations ones here.

I found this book to be enjoyable as well as very interesting, and even though I couldn't find my Hindi book, I was still inspired by this one. :) Now that school has officially started, and the first being probably the worst and craziest day for parking (I couldn't find anything, zero), luckily a familar face saved the day and showed me a place near campus that worked for a while. The onset of new classes, knowledge, people, expereinces, endevours, schedules and interets is well underway. I had a full day at school, but got to end it with a nice, end of evening glow, just barely missing the final touches of a rich, majestic sunset, 

First day of school!

The workload is well underway, but I feel that my mind, my pen and my feet can all keep up with it in the end. I guess I better enjoy every last minute of it, whether it's reading about globalization, briskly walking with many things and books in my tired hands, but with a prance in my feet and a tune in my ears to let me know that everything is going to be okay, or going to Starbucks and being admist the student life, soaking and drinking in the warm latte that was afforadable only this time and to not get too used to it. Another year. Another journey. Here we go.

105 days of Summer

A qiuck shot while walking to Santa Cruz beach. Love those flowers, and the radiant sunshine!

Berkely wall art

A yellow building in Gloria, Rio

Summer is coming to a close, and it's always bittersweet looking back on it. I've counted the days off of required reading, studying for tests and waking up and getting dressed on time for a full day, or rather, rushing to get out of the door. But those days have been behind me for a while, though they are on the horizo to be here soon once again, very soon. 105 days. One hundred and five days of Summer. It feels like a long time, and granted it was. I feel that I soaked up every day, as best as I could. Although Fall is my favorite season, I think Summer is my favorite time of year. I wanted to reflect on this Summer of 2016, of all that happened and that I wanted to accomplsih and do. Overall, I feel pretty proud of myself and glad I could squeeze some things in last minute.

Remenbering the sacred days of June feels like a long time ago, the beginning and onset of Summer, and looking back on all that happened. It started out with my trip to Rio de Janerio, Brazil. My first trip to South America, and better yet, my first trip out of the country! What a great expereince for two long but short weeks, with classmates and peers. I would say the theme of the trip was self discovery and interpersonal reflections, sometimes happening in my hotel room, sometimes while riding the metro, or even while eating a delicious Brazilian meal and people watching on the streets. I felt I learned so much about myself in a crash course style. My 24th birthday was celebrated during the trip, embracing a new age and new people around me. It was a personal birthday, another one with out close family members, or even well known and kinder spirited friends, but it was still special, in its own way I guess. Sometimes birthdays are a nice and perfect time for reflection, and I feel I got a good amount of that.

Some summers, such as this one had simple moments that had great value and that were precious to me. Day trips, eating out, good and quality time spent with sisters and my mom, but also a balance of business and schedules but also close to more than enough of free time and leisure, making lists of ideas, thoughts, reflections, goals, and reading like the book worm I am. I guess all of the things introverts like to do:). Anyone out there agree with me?

Not just being able to go abroad to Rio, but also to be able to go to my sister's wedding, in San Salvador, El Salvador in mid August felt like a dream. A place I had heard about a good amount and now I finally could experince it myself, and be that loving support for my sister and brother-in-law. To see the different yet beautiful world of El Salvador, to take in the humidity, the loud thunder and huge raindrops and more than delicious food that even still makes my mouth water. Paposas, can't get enough of them! And to celebrate the happiness of my close friend and sister, and to see her marry the love of her life. I don't speak Spanish but I could still take everything in just as well, enjoying the moment.

How much I love them, and love this pic!

I think some great goals that I had for myself this summer included become a literacy volunteer at the library, which I have already done training for and will soon help an adult with reading and writing! Another goal of mine was to finish 12 books! This kind of seemed like a lofty goal at first but then a feasible challenge that was more enjoyable than daunting. I did finish 12 books, and am excited to share them with you soon! A place I wanted go to was also crossed off the list, going to a cafe in Berkeley. Of course, I would be happy with any cafe in Berkeley, but I decided to go to not just any cafe, but one that had special memories to it, like going back in time and remembering them all again. Cafe Roma is the name, and I had fond times with other liked minded girls, and being able to spend some time in Berkeley made me miss those days, going on 4 years ago. Being able to experince the creative urbaness and chaotic artistry of this city was a nice change. I like cafes since they bring that creative energy back to life and also can slow down time although time seems to go by pretty quickly also. 

Some other pictures that I think highlights this summer, going to Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, bookstores, the library, cafes (not sure how many times Starbucks was used this summer), long runs and walks and taking in all my surrondings and the nice cool summer air with the glowing orange sunset and bright, dancing moon smiling back at me, reading on the front porch with the majestic dusk sky stealing my attention from the pages of my book to its beauty. Sleeping in and late night reads, calming me and putting me into a deep sleep. Studying Chinese. Studying Arabic, but also wondering about other languages too, and perhaps being interested in too many things at once?!! Finding books at the library too easily and clothes at conseinment stores too quickly. Walks and bike rides at Sycamore Grove. Having good discussions with good people and thankful for them. Having a powerful and real yearning to meet good friends and to make the most of Autumn and this time of year. Getting more and more into cooking and trying out new and exotic dishes. Finding new songs that inspire me and bring me back to good moments every time and re- listening to already known ones. Taking a dance exercise class, and wanting to try to fit into my schedule again, though it seems unlikely. Re- learning how to sew with my mom, and enjoying the process. Tutoring my students and enjoying every minute, and also grateful that I have this opportunity to teach them and help them not just with Enlgish but a lot more. Trying a fig and a moon cake for the first time. The moon cake is in honor of the Chinese celebration of Mid- Autumn Festival. And also starting this blog, Plum Tree. So glad I did!

Half Moon Bay

A full moon! Happy Mid- Autumn Festival

The nice view from one of my student's window

An outfit I seemed to wear a few days in a row this summer! Ha

A nice lunch with my Mom, quality time can never seem to add up to enough!

Overall, I feel very grateful for this summer of 2016! So much has happened, been learned, accomplished and enjoyed, Memories, memories, good good memories. As my Uncle would say, "This is good, this is very good." And so it is.

The Summer When It All Began

I was recently thinking about when I initially started getting into cooking. Not that long ago, I wasn't comfortable in the kitchen, and didn't consider myself a good cook, especially since I rarely did it. And when I did cook something, it always felt more like a chore than something enjoyable.

 During the Summer of 2014, I think I read my first cooking memoir called Yes, chef by Marcus Sameulsson. I tried reading it once before and didn't really get into it, but once I started reading it again that Summer, I knew that this was a good book and this time it instantly kept me engaged and interested the whole way through. That same Summer, my Mom and my sisters saw a cooking movie called The 100 Foot Journey. I became so interested in the story line, cooking, the characters, I felt that I was becoming more and more connected with cooking. If you are unfamilar with this movie, it's about two cultures colliding, French and Indian, as well as the cuisine. You get to see two restaurants compete against one another and see how the characters gain more respect and understanding for the other's culture.

After these experiences, I felt that I was becoming closer to cooking. It wasn't so far removed from me anymore, I felt more inspired and engaged that cooking is a process, a creative process. I was slowly learning that cooking is a creative activity, using your hands, mixing things to create something. I had a hunch that I would enjoy cooking, after reading about someone's experience with becoming a chef, opening up their own restaurant and telling a true story of how food was close to their heart and culture. And also from watching a movie that brought cooking more to life and tapped something inside that I didn't know that I had, an interest and passion for cooking.

I started cooking more that Fall. I had my other siblings at home also have a cooking night, where they cook dinner for the rest of the family. Having to cook for 5 other people, not including myself taught me many things, and it challenged me to learn more and get more and more comfortable in the kitchen.

Ever since then, I have become more inspired with cooking dinner, and wanting to try out new recipes. Also, I've been reading and on the look out for more cooking memoirs. I think they are one of my favorite genres. It's so interesting to me because it combines the love of food with someone's personal story, and I feel that there is always something to be learned, and taken from these kinds of books. I only hope I can continue to challenge myself, and become more inspired with the great art of cooking!

First attempt, Armenian dish

Armenian food was something I decided to cook this week. Before looking at the cookbook, I didn't know any ethnic foods that pertain to Armenians, but I was interested in finding out. I wanted to not just create a meal but also a drink to go along with it, a typical Armenian drink. Where is Armenia?

Overall, my consensus for these recipes: easy, not too many ingredients, and a nice aroma. Although being in the kitchen was hard to smell the nice exotic perfumes, I heard that it streamed outside and my Mom got a nice preview of the meal before coming in. :) I prepared this dish earlier than most dinners, around 4pm and allowed about an hour in a half to finish and have everything ready. Sometimes its nice to prepare dinner early, knowing that you have somewhere to be and then coming back home and you get to experience the pleasure of eating it too. I always like to listen to music while I cook, it can help if you're a little stressed or just to help distract you from the stinging sensation of onions.

This recipe goes along nicely with a side of baked onions and carrots with a splash of olive oil, as you can see from the pictures above. The yogurt drink, known as Tan added a nice touch to the overall meal. I think I would make this recipe again, or of course try another Armenian recipe. All the food looks delicious, and I would definately encourage anyone to try it!:) Till next time...