triggering Action Potential

inspired recipe

after dined at a french restaurant, where I had the steamed mussels in Reisling, I was inspired by the dish to make something similar. I rarely eat mussels because the dish is never quite right, until now I think. White wine sauce is key in seafood, especially those that "smell" a lot, ie shellfish or mollusks.

so I tried out a recipe of my own, since I had the ingridients already in my home.

1 lb of calamari, whole, uncleaned
few sprigs of fresh basil
1-2 cups of sliced celery
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup of Reisling (in my case, I used Chateau Ste. Michelle 2005 Vintage, a very good wine from the Columbia Valley in the Pacific Northwest)

heat up a skillet with butter and olive oil. Add in the basil leaves. Let it cook at low heat for a few minutes to bring out the flavor of the basil. Turn up to medium heat (the oil should be hot) and add in the calamari. cook for 1 minute and coat the calamari in the oil. then add in the wine. the wine should boil soon. After it's boiling, add in the celery and put the lid on the skillet. Let the steam cook the calamari. Stir occasionally for 5-8 minutes. If the liquid is drying up, add more Reisling. the calamari should be fully cooked in 10-12 minutes at medium heat.
Do not discard the wine sauce when serving. Serve with white rice or bread.

Kicking bad habit

I have been planning to do this for a while now, but just don't have the will power to stick to the resolution. This is it, though. I will not bite off my fingernails again. Ever!

let the challenge begin!

Taken to heart

one day after my piano lesson in a long long while, I decided to work on the comments to improve my playing of the etude. So far, so good. I'm working on two major revamps at once, pedaling and playing 3 against 4s. then I will move on to using the wrist motion more.

I just can't forget that I do have a day job to worry about too!

Judging Success

When someone asks you if you successful, what is the gauge for it? And when you read about someone being successful, what is the first thing that you associate with it?

In my opinion, it appears that "being successful in life" means that you have tangible materials to show for, ie car, house, trophy wife/husband, etc. But that really breaks down life into two categories: materialistic and philosophical. Those who pursue materialistic ends are perhaps living in a more carpe diem-esque type of life, whereas those who go after a more philosophical life is into the bigger pictures of humanity in general. and if one makes the decision about which of these life to lead, it makes a significant impact for the future--ie the chance of regret or struggles...

maybe I'm just biased right now as a student. I live around a world that is black and white is haves and have-nots... even if my enjoy the pursuit of something greater, I can't help but wonder about the "success" I'm missing out on.

Progress report

exactly one month left and I'm 50% complete with learning the Chopin-Godowsky and about 25% complete with polished material.

i signed up for a free piano lesson at the university next week, in hopes that I will get some pointers on how to play the Nouvelle Etude in F minor, and to get some practice playing in front of strangers. As a first lesson, it is to get acquainted and let the professor know what I'm looking for and how she can help me achieve those piano goals.