thought: nicholas hughes dead

How depressing.
It was just announced yesterday, but happened last week:





Nicholas Hughes, son of Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath,
committed suicide and hanged himself
after battling depression.

It's such a shame. Apparently, he specialized in fish studies.



I especially like this picture of the family.


So happy.


Go here to learn more and be referred to other articles on this.

random video: guacamole!

I just joined Vimeo in last week and since I'm not in a film-making mode quite yet, I've been exploring the site. So far, I have fallen in love with the quality that Vimeo takes pride in with HD video among the simple and sharp presentations of material. "Guacamole" is one of my favorites that I love showing people! By the end of the video, you'll have the tune stuck in your head. ;P



Guacamole from Si on Vimeo.

random quote: hunger's friend

beef stew
Originally uploaded by lilxerica

“Hunger knows no friend
but its feeder.”
-Aristophanes

eyes that eat: the chick-fil-a sandwich

the chick-fil-a sandwich
Originally uploaded by lilxerica

Eaten for the very first time a couple of weeks ago, the Chick-Fil-A sandwich is extraordinary and nothing like I've ever tasted in the category of chicken sandwiches. Under the expectation that the meal would be similar to that of McDonald's McChicken, I dug my teeth into the crispy meat and was taken by surprise. A burst of a subtle peppery flavor on tender chicken made me hunger for more. You know it's good when you see the tell-tale signs of stringy pieces of chicken from the remnants of a savory bite. 
Rating: 4.2/5

-lilxerica

thought: going home

"A little bit of this,
a little bit of that."

Many times, I had walked past the furneral home. Never had I stepped within. Yet there I was inside the doors. The dim lighting seemed to set the mood upon entrance, but lit up as I lifted my head and gazed forward.

An unusual sight it was; a small group of people sitting on chairs conversing while others chose to stand and chat. It became clearer to me that this was honoring a well lived life, rather than a somber passing. As my family and I walked towards the front of the room, a woman with a kind face and straight light blond hair approached us. "You must be the old neighbors," she said with a smile clear with appreciation, " she loved talking about your family."

Mrs. Duris looked the same to me. Her pale honey hair slightly thinner, but still the same curled around. Dressed in a calm florescent green outfit, she lied peacefully as if she was telling us a message with what she wore. The color green brings comfort. Of course, I'm not even sure whether she picked her clothes prior to her passing or those at the morgue did, but still, it was a sweet gesture of thought. Her hands were folded neatly with her aged fingers wrapped around a crucifix. There is no doubt that this wonderful woman is home.

At first, going over to her was difficult. I got this sort of empty feeling inside, knowing Mrs. Duris was not there in front of me, but just a body. I never lost anyone close to me, but when I listened to my mom's message about her earlier today, it made my stomach flip and heart sink. Once it all came down on me, the memories of her rush forward and reminscence flooded the mind. As the official babysitter of my youth, she holds a special place as a person who never thought of herself, only others. According to my mom, Mrs. Duris was the kind of person who never refused to comply when a favor was asked. Just last week, I wondered where she was and encouraged my mom to call her. She said it was peculiar how this last Christmas, Mrs. Duris didn't send us her usual annual holiday card. While I wondered this, Mrs. Duris was already resting peacefully in her sleep and onward to above.

Later after warm conversations, I felt much better. It was apparent through the stories of loved ones that Mrs. Duris had a wonderfully complete life, yet here I was crying with a wry smile of rememberance of all the good things she did.

I don't have a sophisticated way to say this, but I'm sad at the fact that I will never get to see Grandma Margaret again in this life. The last time I saw her was about five years ago at my baptism and the next will be someday when I too go home. When that time comes, we'll watch Michelle Kwan re-runs, snack on her homemade cookies, play scrabble on the computer, and skip across the floors of heaven.


In heaven, I promise not to be a picky eater.




Although I am most certain you will;

Rest in Peace
Margaret M. Duris
(1921-2009)

news: perplexed, man shoots another...

If you have time to read, take a look at this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090309/ap_on_re_us/church_shooting

I'm pretty sure at one point today, you have heard something on the radio...


I felt compelled to write to my pastor on this issue.

Dear Pastor Paul,

I'm sure you've heard about it as well, but as we
were driving home from church. The radio announced of a recent story occurring
today where a Maryville pastor was shot at 8am during his sermon.

This is very disturbing news and sometimes it
makes people wonder: "Wow, not even church is safe anymore."

I know upon hearing this news is already implied,
but I'm sure many have a prayer request to look out for those at that church as
well as the suspect.

In a Yahoo News article about this, another
pastor at the church explained that he was puzzled and had no idea what the
suspect's motives were. What motivates a man to shoot another, especially
the pastor while giving a sermon, during church? As I
wonder perplexed, here's the article I read: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090309/ap_on_re_us/church_shooting

God Bless

Yet again, another article has come to support the idea that man is evil or rather, simply ignorant. I'm trying to imagine what the scene must have been like. Those sitting in the pews were confused at the sight with the burst of confetti from the shot and thought such a spectacle was merely a skit. What horror to realize it was naught!

I can only sympathize.
My mind, today and tomorrow, will be on this sad incident.


Oh, the motives of man...


-lilxerica

quote: evil & happiness

"No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks."

- Mary Wollstonecraft

eyes that eat: the coconut shrimp

the coconut shrimp
Originally uploaded by lilxerica

Described as "creamy" by Lucy Jung who thought the dish was exceptionally well done considering she generally did not agree with the coconut flavor, added that she "couldn't taste the coconut flavor." Whether this subtle coconut flavor is suitable for your taste buds, the dish was wonderful in terms of the larger crispy pieces of fried and battered shrimp tackled with the freshness of the lettuce beneath. Although the mayonnaise mixture on top proved to be sweet and increasingly delicious, personally, I'd prefer a little less poured over and more a drizzle with more sauce to the side. Nevertheless, and putting my health tip to the side, the coconut shrimp dish from Cravings brought "a taste of home" for my brother and I coming from Chinese roots. Highly recommended!

Rating: 3.5/5

-lilxerica

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

It's pretty convienent how I can directly link blogger and flickr together!