Retired Song of the week- Week 7 Aceyalone Moonlit skies

I love RED VELVET cake

I can't remember exactly when I fell in love with Red Velvet Cake, but I think it was some time two years ago, and in New York City.  I think part of my fascination with Red Velvet Cake is that it is so unique, and so inconsistent...thus making it not just a simple task, but a quest to search for one that is flavorful (buttermilk and cocoa undertones) and moist. For the past two years, I have searched out red velvet cake/ cupcakes in nearly every city I visit (though I did not find them in Taipei or Tokyo). So far, my favorites are: 1) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cafeteria Red Velvet Cake, Manhattan, NY; 2) Red Velvet mini cupcakes - Kumquat Cupcakery, Brooklyn, NY; 3) Les Glaceurs: Glaces and cupcakes Montreal (see first photo).  

Recent Red Velvet Cake: Lulu's Bakeshoppe

For my 29th birthday, Jason searched all over Boston to find a Red Velvet Birthday Cake and he scored big with a delicious, moist, richly flavored one from Lulu's Bakeshoppe in the North End. For now, this one just may take the cake, but if any of you out there have any secret knowledge about Red Velvet cake/cupcakes, please share. :)

Chictopia

I love fashion. I find it fascinating and fabulous! One of the most striking parts of the 6 or so hours I spent (11pm-5am) in Tokyo city was the incredible fashion. The women and men were totally decked out. I saw combinations of trends that were fearless and whimsical. For example, the above outfit witnessed in the subway station was "average" for a Saturday night in Tokyo. I've never seen so many false eyelashes, designer handbags, funky vests and hats, and over the knee socks in such high concentration before. It was awesome. Sometimes I wish I lived in Tokyo I could play dress-up everyday.

The other day, my friend Jess shared the following website with me. http://www.chictopia.com/ There you can check out some more interesting looks to inspire your next trip to the mall. :)

Crunchy Crullers

I have a lot to share about Taiwan - but I thought I'd start with these photos of our final breakfast, and favorite meal of the trip. Crunchy Chinese Crullers and Soymilk! Also in the first photo, are other tasty Chinese breakfast treats, rice rolls, steamed mini buns, potstickers....

You can sometimes buy frozen crullers and pancakes and make your own breakfast sandwich to eat with soymilk at chinese grocers. I hope you all get to taste this deliciousness. The crullers can be dipped in soysauce if you like it salty, or dipped in sugar if you have a sweet tooth! Yum!

Where was this photo taken? - ANSWER HERE!

I've done a lot of traveling lately - but I thought before I go ahead an post my Taiwan trip, I should answer "Where was this photo taken?" from early October. I want to thank Laurent for his guess, and for his enthusiasm. He was the only person who guessed, and it was a good guess.

The photo was taken at the bean sculpture in Chicago's Millennium Park. Also known as Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor. For more photos from my weekend of shoe shopping, reception venue searching, popcorn eating, fireworks, and fancy drinks in Chicago with my fabulous girl friends Sara and Eylul, click here 

Birthday Eve

Today is the eve of my 29th birthday. Although most people seem to look to 30 with apprehension, I have to say, I'm quite happy about turning 29. Sure, I can't believe how quickly the past few years flew by. But every year, has been a good, solid, enjoyable year. I am looking forward to another fantastic year of - learning and exploring, feasting and celebrating, loving and laughing! Thank you to all my friends and family who have made my life so fun to live. Hooray!

Retired Song of the week- Week 6 Bruce Springsteen I'm on Fire

Love it.

Taiwan's unique industry...

Greetings from Taiwan! Yes, I promised you more clues / photos for the previous "guess where" post, but I don't have any access of those photos from Taipei, so I'll have to keep you all in suspense a little longer... :)

Taiwan is awesome. Amazingly, I slept almost 95% of the kazillion hour plane flight here. It's been a whirlwind ever since we took off from Boston. We started out by getting delayed and put up overnight in Narita, Japan - so Jason and I pulled an allnighter to experience Tokyo before finally arriving in Taipei Sunday afternoon. From there, we drove to Sun Moon Lake with my mom, aunt and uncle where we stayed in the most fantastic hotel I've ever been in. Then, we went to Alishan where we rose at 4am to see the sunrise over Jade Mountain, and saw the "sea of clouds". Finally, we made it back to Taipei Wednesday.

I know everyone is eager to see pics, but I'm not on my mac (so uploading is not as quick/easy). For now I hope you'll get a kick out of these glamour shots we had done yesterday in Taipei....

I'm going to Taiwan!

Hello and good morning! I'm about to head to logan where I'll be flying out to Taipei. I'm not sure about internet access out there, so there may be a break in blogging. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I'll be back online when I can :) 

Sarah Sarah Sarah...

I love my friends Sarah S, Sara T and Sara C, but recently we've all be hearing a lot about Sarah (Palin). I have to admit, historically I haven't followed the politics very carefully or closely but this year, it's been so exciting...almost like a reality tv show. Yikes!  I recently came across two great articles and thought I'd share them. I think the women I know will find the second one particularly interesting... click on the title for a link to the full story.

1. Oh Snap! : She (Madonna) told the crowd: "Sarah Palin can't come to my party. Sarah Palin can't come to my show. It's nothing personal," before adding, "Here's the sound of Sarah Palin's husband's snowmobile when it won't start," followed by a loud screeching noise.  Madonna bans Sarah Palin from her concerts ]

2. This is a truly interesting article: Why Elite Women Hate Palin

Where was this photo taken?

Can you figure out where this photo was taken? Hint: It was taken this past weekend. More photos to come....

Happy and Hopeful

Sometimes it's the little moments in life that remind us how lucky we are, and how wonderful life is.

When I was seeing patients at the community clinic today, I asked one of my schizophrenic patients how he was doing. He answered, "I'm very well, thank you. I'm the happiest man in the world". He went on to tell me how pleased he was to be living in Worcester - which he described as "a masterpiece, superb and beautiful". When I asked him what his plans for the future were, he answered, "I just want to be an outstanding citizen of the world." As he left, he smiled and said, "Thanks doctor, have a beautiful day".

I paused and reflected on his choice of words. I was touched by his positive vocabulary. His use of beautiful, instead of good - turned an ordinary greeting into a special one. It was only a quick 30 minute medication check-up, but it was an encounter that was heartwarming and full of hope. He reminded me that happiness and contentment is not about getting what you think you want, but appreciating what you already have. I wish all of you out there a "beautiful" day as well. :)

Retired Song of the Week- Week 5 Hot Chip Ready for the Floor

Straight or Curly

We always want what we do not have.  Though, i'd have to say that in general, I am very grateful for what I have.  However, for the past 5 years of my life, I have been on the quest to get the perfect perm. That's right. Perm. All the rage of the 80's. Only I wanted an updated perm -  like the romantic wavy locks on the glossy magazine pages.  

The first time I attempted to get a perm was when I was a medical student in Providence. I remember when the rollers came out, I gasped and thought, OMG, I look like Lionel Richie. Fortunately, after a few showers, the curls came out. I was disappointed I didn't achieve the look I was going for, but relieved that I didn't have to look like Lionel for the next 6 months.  The second time I went to a hair salon in NYC - Right afterwards, I asked my friend Ali what she thought and she said "That's a perm?" - Again, after one shower, it was gone. 

So now I was $200 or so in the hole, and still with stick straight hair.  I finally sat down and did some research last year and I think I've finally got it right! 

Introducing....the DIGITAL PERM. this is some snazzy japanese technology where they basically electroshock your hair into the curl formation. I know, it sounds and looks (see photo) crazy, but it's the only thing that worked. For the past year I have been happily flaunting bouncing waves thanks to the latest technology and Hair Adventure.  Yippee! On that note, I wish you all a good hair day.

Wine of the week - San Fabiano Calcinaia 2003 Chianti Classico

I am copying my friend Sarahsouth's "wine cellar" theme from her blog, because 1) she is brilliant, and 2) I think it's a good way to keep track of what we're drinking, and 3) remember what we like and don't like.  

Last night, we opened a bottle of Chianti Classico- San Fabiano Calcinaia 2003. It was nice, dry, slightly peppery, medium bodied, with a nice finish. It was great paired with our grilled steak and grilled vegetable salad. Cheers!

America's Top Chef - Jason

Last night, Jason cooked dinner for me so that I could study. He's so good to me and a fantastic cook! Look at the fancy meal! Lucky, lucky me :) 

grilled vegetables

Salad with romaine, arugula, grilled peppers, portabella, beets, feta

and a special apricot dressing. 

The spread: main dish = Tuscan grilled steak

Dessert from La Dolce Vita on Shrewsbury St.

For those of you who like to cook, Jason improvised this meal using Rachel Ray's "Everything Grilled Salad with Tuscan-Style Steak" as a guide. You can click here for the link to the recipe.