So

So
- verb
to list or name numerals in order
My sister - "Mui, that's 1."
Mui - "You're not my mommy. You can't so me."

Posted at 08:00AM May 08, 2008 by nonstick in Chinglish  |  Comments[1]

6 Word Story Contest

@editweapon won a @zappos contest where the prizes were a Van Halen towel and a $100 gift certificate to zappos.com. @editweapon decided to pass on some of his spoils by presenting the $100 gift certificate as the reward for the best 6 word story.

Here is my submission: Parents dial 011-86 to call home.

I don't know who won or if they have chosen a winner yet. But I loved the opportunity to flex my creative writing muscle.

Posted at 08:32AM May 07, 2008 by nonstick in General  |  Comments[0]

Cha-er

But my kid is speaking now, a lot. In fact, she won't shut up. It's after hearing her Chinglish that I realized there are two kinds. English Chinglish and Chinese Chinglish. English Chinglish is where you speak English and throw in Chinese terms (what we siblings use with each other and my daughter with me). Chinese Chinglish is where you speak Chinese and throw in English terms (what we used with our parents).

So, I thought I would share my daughter's Chinglish because a) people may identify and 2) it's just damn funny.

Today's word?

cha-er
-noun
person who applies in a thin layer or coating
"I'll be the cha-er for the cupcakes. You be the sprinkler."

Posted at 07:23AM May 07, 2008 by nonstick in Chinglish  |  Comments[2]

Zappos is the Neighborhood Shoe (and more) Store

One thing I lamented was the loss of the shopping experience (looks cute on hanger, try it on, not so cute on me). But now, retailers offer free shipping and returns so you can try things on and, usually, keep more than you intended.

The other thing I lamented was the loss of person-to-person contact. It was bad enough with the big box stores, gone were the friendly chats with the proprietor of the neighborhood store; it is worse with online retailers.

Well, Zappos.com has found a way to be an online retailer AND a neighborhood store by using online social networking.

Tony Hsieh, CEO, and Alfred Lin, CFO/COO both blog and tweet. They update us with who they are meeting, what they are doing and conduct contests, among other things. Zappos also has a Facebook profile.

It's brilliant that they leverage online networks to build relationships with their customers and constituents. I can honestly say that I am more inclinded to shop at Zappos.com because I know that @zappos loves Red Bull with Slim Jims but not pretzels. I am buying from friends, not just some faceless, soul-less corporation.

Posted at 09:28AM Apr 30, 2008 by nonstick in General  |  Comments[1]

Go Green, Stay Home

Conversation with Kid

ME: Mommy's old.

MUI: I'm old, too.

ME: No. You are young. Mommy is old.

MUI: Maybe you need more cream.

Posted at 06:38AM Apr 17, 2008 by nonstick in Family  | 

My New Blackberry

I don't know how I survived so long without carrying the internet in my pocket. But it's awesome. Kid in Little Gym? Check my email, follow up on tweeters, expand my mind with NPR news...

As I was sitting there, catching up on the Sun blogs, I realized that as I was connecting to the world, I was disconnecting from the people around me. I typically strike up a conversation with the Little Gym parents, usually about our kids or apologizing for my kid running over their kid. But today, I was glued to my Blackberry.

So, I don't know if having the internet in my pocket is such a great thing. I love the fact that I can connect when and where I want. I guess I have to temper the wanting (i.e. not at the dinner table). As they say, Blackberries don't alienate people, people alienate people.

Posted at 01:18PM Apr 12, 2008 by nonstick in General  |  Comments[1]

Temptation, Remove Myself from Thee

We were at ABC Cafe in Oakland Chinatown and sitting at one of those tables with swivel chairs on one side and a bench on the other. She was driving me insane by swiveling around in her chair so hard that every time it reached the end of travel, it shook the whole table. Her little cousin, who was sitting in the swivel chair next to her, started swiveling, too. I was about to smack someone.

ME: Mui, stop spinning your chair.
MUI: (continues swiveling)
ME: Mui, stop spinning your chair.
MUI: (continues swiveling)
ME: Mui, that's one. If you don't stop, we will wait in the car while Yi Yi and Avery finish lunch.
MUI: (continues swiveling) I'm not spinning. The chair is spinning me.
ME: That's two.
MUI: (Gets up and walks over to my side of table.) Mommy, can you move over? I want to sit here.
ME: Why?
MUI: Because I don't want to spin and when I sit in the chair it spins.

How many times I wish I knew my will power was not sufficient, that I should just remove myself from temptation.

Posted at 10:08AM Apr 07, 2008 by nonstick in Family  |  Comments[1]

Welcome, Marc!

Posted at 09:48AM Apr 07, 2008 by nonstick in General  |  Comments[1]

America's Best Dance Crew

Posted at 01:25PM Mar 24, 2008 by nonstick in General  | 

Easter Celebration at the Kong/Provancher Household

We then went to the Utah's Hogle Zoo. There was a new giraffe born over the winter. And he was hanging out with his mom enjoying the beautiful Spring day.

After the zoo, we went home for a nap and then baked cupcakes. Notice the Easter colors.

It was a good Easter Sunday.

Posted at 12:22PM Mar 24, 2008 by nonstick in Family  |  Comments[3]

Aristo's Greek Restaurant

The Food

Hummus - I am not always a fan of hummus, but Aristo's was really good. Right texture and the presentation was great. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to share as 1) we were 1/4 way through the hummus when I thought of it and 2) the owner and his family was sitting right next to us.

Chicken a la Aristo - I ordered this when I saw that it included spinach and feta. I'm a big fan of both. The chicken was roasted to perfection. The skin was light and crispy, while the meat was moist and flavorful. The meat was so tender that at one point I had my knife flipped the wrong way and it still sliced right through like it was butter. The chicken was stuffed with a spinach and feta concoction that was smooth, yet slightly gritty; nice combination of textures. The chicken lay on a bed of rice smothered with the same spinach/feta concoction in sauce form.

Lamb Shank (Day's Special) - My husband ordered this one. He's a big fan of lamb. The lamb lay on a bed of Orzo. The meat was so tender it barely hung to the bone, falling off with minimal prodding. The lamb and orzo were coated in a red sauce that my husband liked, but I thought was little plain. It had good texture, but that little kick was missing, it left me wanting.

Baklava - My husband ordered this and liked it so much, he would not share. So I can't tell you how it was.

Egg Custard - It was between this and the rice pudding. The egg custard was really creamy and subtly sweet, but nothing special. The flaky crust was good, but, again, nothing special. Should have gotten the rice pudding. The kid at the next table seemed to really enjoy it.

Latte - I don't know why I order espresso drinks at restaurants, especially lattes. It was okay. The foam was stiff and I forgotten to request no foam.

The Atmosphere

As soon as I walked in, I suspected whether the food or the service was going to be good. Clean lines and dark, rich colors. The kind of place that does not welcome children. But as we walked to the table, I noticed a couple of tables with kids as young as 18 months. The tables were covered with a sheet of paper, perfect for coloring on. Ok. May be this place was not going to be snooty like Trio Cafe.

The wait staff was very friendly. Although our waitress was a little nervous, probably because the owner, Aristo, was sitting at the table right next to us.

Bottom Line

Would totally go back to this place and bring our kid. The food is based on greek classics with a 5-star twist. If you are ever in town and have a chance, definitely check this place out.

Posted at 11:51AM Mar 24, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

America's Best Dance Crew Makes Me Want to Bust a Move

I am rooting for Kaba Modern, although I think the Jabbawockeez are better; mainly because Kaba Modern reminds me of the folks I went to college with and there are girls in Kaba Modern.

Posted at 09:08AM Mar 12, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

Great Minds Think Alike or Need More Communication?

When my husband got home, he found me cooking dinner and changing light bulbs. I found him carrying a light bulb changer thing and a mess of replacement bulbs. Turns out he had gone out that morning to Home Depot.

We really need to talk more. Or he should get on Twitter. Next time it could be milk and cereal.

Posted at 07:50AM Mar 11, 2008 by nonstick in Family  | 

Cans of Soup Should Come with a Calculator

I try to figure out which cans of soup to get based on the calories per serving. Not all soups are created equal. Chicken and dumplings, 110 cal/serving. Mexican fiesta? 240cal/serving.

So I am trying to figure out how many calories are in a whole can: