Today's Thai Culture Tip

It is not considered in good manners to eat watermelon with a spoon. A few of us were sitting on our front porch eating watermelon that had been sliced into fat juicy wedges and devouring it with a our metal rice spoons. One friend told us however, this time it was OK, but it's actually considered very lazy to eat this way. Really it should be cut, cubed and seeded. I can only imagine the look on some faces if we were to dig our mouths in and spit the seeds out..

But then Thailand is the country that gives you this:
(thank you Wikipedia Commons)
A beautiful skill indeed. Something to learn when I have ALLOT more time. ; )

No Chickpeas? Really?

I'm not really a list generating person, so this is a skill I am slowly coming to appreciate. Maybe it's just age. Anyway, we are in the list making process. Lists of what to bring. Lists of what we need to do yet. Lists of who we need to call. Lists of who is going to take over what students. Lists of prices to attempt to plan a budget. I now have a small folder of lists and my computer monitor looks like an orange and yellow ad for Post-it(R).


As we read random websites (the few there are) about our soon to be new city, I stumbled on a forum which people are discussing things they miss from home. This past week one of my lists has been "small lightweight things to bring that will make us feel @ home". Really, most things you can get in any city, anywhere. Granted, for price perhaps, but most things you can find anywhere. For J and I, having friends over and cooking is one of our great pleasures. So, we figure we'll bring 3 of our kitchen knives and some spices; I highly doubt I'll find Ethiopian Mitmita in NK. Other things I am mentally preparing for; I am mourning the lose of cheese. It's too expensive upcountry..basically sold for foreigners. But from what I am reading dried beans/legumes are also hard to come by. (More than one person has complained about this.) I'm having a hard time believing it. So, it's added to my list of questions for our friends there. "Are there really no chickpeas?!!" Hmm. Or maybe they'll think alas, this girl is too crazy. Will we be packing a few dried bags of chickpeas in our 70 pound limit of baggage so I don't die of Hummus withdrawal? AHH!

Kidding. We wouldn't die. But I think a bag may work it's way onto the list.... just in case. : D

OK, since this post isn't going anywhere; I know you all have more important things to be doing now than reading this. Me too... thanks for letting me take my coffee break with you. :D

Enjoy your day!

I smell like a frialator.

For me, it is a new aroma to my day ...

*yawn* hope everyone had a good day. our meeting was canceled in case your wondering..second week in a row the snow won the show. I have a feeling that wouldn't happen in Siberia. ; P OK.... anyway...back to subject.

As of today, I am working @ a local Asian restaurant. Today I made chicken wings, nim chow, egg rolls, served Pho (there's allot to remember w/ pho...) and another soup.. then I made more things to bring home to J. (he's gonna love me working there) It's really going to hit me when I see the grilled tongue on the plate one of these days.. (remember, I was a long term vegetarian before this language venture..)

It's a total last minute fluke I am working there. They called me yesterday to start today. I had mentioned working there to them but didn't think they took me seriously. Apparently they did. Tiny family business needs a little extra help. I think customers will be surprised to see a non Asian. I admit it's a little strange for me too. The girl who was doing the interpreting and showing me the ropes today goes back to school tomorrow; so I'm on my own in the language department when I go back Tues. (yikes!) But my theory is this will help me along with language study ...ALLOT. (sink or swim) besides.... it's the language of food... : D

Funny how you can be in the role of foreigner in your own country.

So, if you're local and want some great food with absolutely FABULOUS service, email me and I'll give you the addy. ; )

As for me, I need to go wash the frialator smell off. My cat is showing a little too much interest in me. I feel soo.... like I walked into a Bourdain episode.