April 24, 2008

  • Dreaming, writing and cooking

    I went to bed shortly after 11:00 and woke up shortly after midnight.  Sometimes when I'm really tired and exhausted - my body doesn't want to sleep.  I'm sure my head will be drooping tomorrow as I struggle to keep awake while writing my reports.  So I did what I haven't done in a while.  I rolled out of bed and wrote a bit.  I keep several files.  Some just contain a couple of sentences while others are better developed.  They are like little seedlings.  Every so often, I add a few words, prune some more, stare at it and hope for an inspiration. Lately though - not much has happened. 

    It's not easy to write when you're stressed.  The past few months at work haven't been easy.  I find I write best when my mind is at ease.  It's not something I can multi task in between reports, emails, presentations and chores.  I hope to find my "writer's voice" soon.  I fantasize that someday, I'll publish a book and doing the rounds of interviews and book signings.  My parents used to tease each other when they talk about winning the lottery.  My mom would say "Well, you better go to sleep early tonight."  I asked her once what she meant.  My mom chuckled "If you go to sleep earlier, then you can start dreaming sooner."   On that note,  I'm going to hit the sack.  And I hope to see some of you at my book signings - just don't wake me up from my dream. 

    Here's some food pics.  I'm still stuck on beef.  This time, it turned out to be very nice.  I picked a different cut of beef (sorry - can't remember what it was but it was right beside the flank steak).  The meat was very soft when I cut into it.

    This is beef with string beans.  There's some shallots, garlic and ginger as well as oyster sauce. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                

    Beef in satay sauce with Udon noodles.  I added an onion, spring onions and ginger.  I rarely cook with satay sauce and used it sparingly.  I think I can add a bit more next time.  The dish was a bit oily though but it tasted fine.

Comments (21)

  • the food always looks yummy  good luck with you reports, maybe after that you can take a vacation somewhere to relax 

  • udon noodles... hhmmm.. see the difference if you don't put food pic here? lol!

    and please invite if ever your fantasy comes to life. i mean, the book signing that is.

  • Yummy food as usual. Maybe you need a mini-vacation. I weekend away from the usual. Hey, dreams are great places to visit!!!

  • Yum! Good chinese home cooking!

  • The food look fine too me. I think it is pretty tricky with satay sauce sometimes and pan fried cooking udon can be tricky, especially with the oily part. I love seasoning, onion, green onion, garlic, and all that wonderful but not a big fan on ginger though. I was so tired earlier, I passed the fack out when I got back from a whole day of classes. I woke up around 12 too, two hours of sleep. That's all.

    Oh btw, the protected post list is fixed. 

  • I suddenly have a need to go to a chinese restaurant!

  • Oh, I frequently have that beef dish too at my parents' place! Nice!
    I'm sure Matt will never be short of fans when his book is hot off the press!

  • Goldstar makes a great noddle and beef dish too, like the one in the second picture ... worth a try if only to compare

  • thanks matt.  by the way, the beef and string beans look good...i love, LOVE string beans. 

  • i feel the same way; i can't write creatively when i'm stressed or tired.  i would definitely be in line to get my copy of your book autographed by you!

    mm...  those both look delicious!  ooh, i got an idea...  maybe you can publish a cook book!  =D

  • You have to de-stress before bedtime. Maybe get some trashy reading material, or perhaps take a hot bath with a glass of wine and some candles... er maybe just drink until you pass out. :) Either way, what you are stressing about? aww, your name is Matt. Nice to meet you Matt. :)  

  • beeeeefffffff.... remember buy breast chicken or pork when you cook for me next time =)

  • RYC: I always think of the Favorite Things from Sound of Music.

  • Sometimes when I can't sleep at night. With lots of thought keep coming in and out. I took tylenol (or cold medicine) and that will do it within 30 - 40 min. 

  • you can still write anyway. i want to get published too, haha...creative minds

  • Make sure you come to Book Soup here in West Hollywood.  I'll buy a bunch!!

  • thanks! I will go to bed first thing when I get home from work.. which I get off in 15 minutes! ><"

  • Hope you had great dreams and sleep!!  ohhhhhhh....I love how both dishes look....'Til The Next

  • OMG the dishes look so yummy. And I always make the beef so chewy! Yours looks a lot better LOL

  • When in your dream you see the winning numbers of the lottery, be sure to call and let me know.   I will go half and half with you.

    Love the beef and string beans. So when are you coming here to eat some indian food?

  • damn that looks good. cook for me? =]

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