crossrhodes

When is the best time to talk to your kids? For us, it’s when I’m cutting his hair in the kitchen or driving him to and fro. I find the best forum for casual conversation is during a task that doesn’t require undivided attention (even tho I look like I’m really, really concentrating in this picture so I don’t cut his ear off :)
What do you talk about? James usually opens up the conversation about college, girls, and friends. Every now and then I find the perfect opportunity to impart some wisdom on self-image, ambitions, relationships, and responsibilities. You never know what your child walks away with from casual conversations.

What have you found to be the best time to talk to your kids?

I have to post these pictures. My sister, cousins, and I left to our own devices (a.k.a. Lani and her camera :)

My aunt read my blog about last Christmas being depressing, and not having the gastronomical food fest that is our family’s trademark attributed to the feeling. Really, it was because several family members were seriously ill or missing from the reunion. My uncle had just come out of open heart surgery post heart attack.

To celebrate his clean bill of health, my aunt gathered the family yesterday and TOTALLY made up for the food last Christmas as if to tout, “Eat that!” to my face. I said (and gladly ate), “With pleasure!!!”

We had beef, chicken, veggies, noodles, and tons of seafood! In the giant bowl are super fat she-crabs in Hop Kee-style sauce. (Hop Kee is a family favorite restaurant in NYC’s Chinatown.) I’d never had crabs cooked that way before and they were good!

My cousin also made some miso-marinated cod topped with a trio of pureed bell peppers. (Did I get that right, H?) Maybe she’ll comment and share the recipe. (hint! hint!)

Mannn, I tell yah… you haven’t eaten until you’ve eaten with Filipinos!!!

I received a recipe request for my Carne Asada. I can’t remember where I got the recipe, but here it is:

Taqueria-style Carne Asada

Marinate a 2 lb flank steak for 2 to 8 hours in:
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lime

1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika

In a small bowl, stir together and set aside:
1/2 white onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 lime, juiced

Cut the marinated flank steak into cubes or strips. Saute on medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the meat is cooked through and most of the liquid has evaporated. Lay a generous amount of beef over 2 - 3 layers of fresh, warm tortillas. Top with some onion relish and serve.

Serve it with black beans and yellow rice on the side, or add both to the beef stuffing. I just bought a box of yellow rice from my grocer’s ethnic aisle (a Spanish brand like Goya, NOT Rice-a-Roni, or Kraft, etc.) However, do try this simple but awesome black beans from scratch:

Best Black Beans from allrecipes.com

Bring to a boil:
1 (16 ounce) can black beans
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped

Reduce heat, add, and simmer for 5 minutes:
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt to taste

I’m a little discouraged. I heard from the Director of Radiology this week. The 2006 program was filled up last fall before they even received my application. I’m now being considered for 2007. It kinda shed my motivation to finish this semester now that I know I’ve got a whole year to wait. As soon as my first round of exams are over, I’m going to look into other schools and hospitals offering any type of diagnostic imaging program. If it’s going to take 4 calendar years to get this done, I might as well consider a Bachelors. I hear Nuclear Medicine is a hot field.

And tonight, my stupid computer course online is pissing me off to no end!!! This is supposed to be my easiest course, but the software required to download the exams won’t work! All the instructor can tell me is to call the manufacturer’s helpdesk. The helpdesk says I need to call my instructor. The deadline for the first exam is in 2 days and I’m still getting the run around. Urrgghhh!!!