Myths About Elle: Food

***

How well do people really know you?



My friends can finish my thoughts and My siblings can predict my reactions, and yet, they wouldn't be able to tell you who my favorite actor is, or which food I prefer or rather just the opposite. Having known my close knit crew intimitely for a long time now, some things go without saying. And then, there are those "other" trivial tidbits that have gone un-noticed. As the list is a growing one, I will just touch on the singular subject of food.

Caffeine

Myth: Elle does not drink coffee.

Myth: Elle cannot handle caffeine

Truth: So far away. Being Chinese, tea is never more than a sip away. Having grown up in Vietnam, I thrive on French Roast. I can't even remember my first sip of coffee because I was so young. My parents often reminisce that I drank cupfuls by the time I was 4. Don't believe it? Just consider my stature. Ask anyone - I'm the shortest one in the family.

Origin: I used to drink tea everyday and coffee on weekends. Then I got to college and only had time for tea once a week and coffee once a month. Not adjusting well to often haphazard schedule of University life, it became increasingly hard to get up. At the same time, I began feeling numb to the effects of caffeine. And so, I gave it up. Eventually, the dominating traces of the drug was flushed out of my system and I was no longer immune to the effects from occasional indulgences. It wasn't until the invasion of Boba-mania that tea slowly crept back into my life. Coffee however remains over-priced and less forgivable.

Dairy

Myth: Elle cannot eat cheese

Truth: Elle is only somewhat lactose intolerant.

Origin: I say "no" to certain cheeses. They see that I'm Asian and have trouble downing milk (sometimes) - thus, a convenient lie is born. I actually have more success with cheese than milk, but it is just easier to tell people that I can't digest hard or crumbly cheeses.

Real Truth: I can't get past the stench of hard cheeses like Parmesan and I don't like the texture of Feta. Bleu Cheese encompasses both qualities so I try to stay as far away from it as possible.

Dessert

Myth: Elle likes sweet stuff

Truth: Whoever believes that obviously has not seen me scrape the excess icing off my donuts. Don't get me wrong. I like dessert, just not overly sweet ones. Hence, I prefer Asian cakes and plain donuts.

Origin: I have been caught on numerous occasions, oggling the dessert menu. What can I say? The pictures are pretty. And if someone insists, I'm not going say no.

Alcohol

Myth: Elle enjoys social drinking

Truth: I do not enjoy the taste of wine and spirits. The conspicous glow of my Asian Flush is not encouraging either. Bottom line: Wine gives me a headache, cheap liquor makes me nauseous, and beer tastes bitter (though I do have a higher tolerance for bitter foods than I used to, making this my current drink of choice).

Origin: I like looking at pretty cocktails too. I also enjoy the smell of wine and the way it enhances savory food. I drink on special occasions to join in on the good cheer, but my willingness to partake shouldn't be mistaken for delectation.

So how well do you know your peeps?

V-Day Re-take: #742

So now I long for the same chocolates which I had deserted a short while ago. And, of course, I had neglected to stash away the few remnants that strayed around. Thus, my triumphal cessation has morphed into pro-longed yearning. How's that for irony?

Weekend Update: CNY & WBD

Our city hosted a New Year's festival a couple of days ago. Mostly comprised of a bunch of promotional booths sponsored by various banks and HMOs, so not exactly fun fair, but our moms found it rather thrilling. They liked playing the various games to collect free trinkets and buying cheap Chinese goods. Oh yes, and we can't forget the complimentary polaroids - although quite a few companies have upgraded to the Kodak easyshare type of set-up. I'm surprised they haven't stepped in to promote their printer/camera combos. Actually, it would be pretty cool to have a booth with various backgrounds where festival goers can have their pictures taken, or snap the shots themselves. Then they would move over to the printing station to see how easy it is to print their own pictures. Alot of moms would appreciate this type of demonstration since they rarely get to take digital pictures themselves.

Anyhow, the highlight of the day was watching my friend, K, participate in the Karaoke contest. She did not make the cut, however, but was given a warm applause and nice consolation prize. Actually, she was probably quite nervous since she sounded a bit off. Kudos to her anyway, since I don't think I would be able to get up on that stage by myself.

----------------------------------------------------

On another note, the highly anticipated President's Day Sale was highly disappointing. Should have known that selections would be weak on the heels of V-Day. Speaking of which, I finally did get around to eating those scrumptious chocolates. Kind of sad, but I had to force myself to pop in the first one. Of course, afterwards the rest slid down quite effortlessly. There were a couple with raspberry fillings that did not strike my fancy, but the color did offset well with the pot of violets I received.

----------------------------------------------------

Oh yeah, and finally got a chance to tidy up my room, although I wasn't able to get rid of anything yet. Holidays always throw me off the trash schedule. I think they should send us a calendar. Yep, so everything is in neater bundles (including the junk and scraps), just waiting for the garbage truck to turn around.

Lonely vs. Alone

It used to be that I would feel lonely around the Hallmark days, but never alone. Lately, however, it has been just the opposite. You see, I have a back-up. The problem, though, is that I keep him at the top of my list, whereas he is saving me for the final cut. And so, here I am, moping on the most carded holiday of the year. But let's leave his story for another rainy day.

Back to the query: What's worse.........feeling lonely or alone?

Previously, loneliness seeped in and out of my life, but I knew I had someone on reserve, so I tried to not let it get to me. Plus, I had plenty of more or less single friends. We were a tight knit bunch, united in our affinity for the uncommitted life. We still are, though a few recent developments have threatened to rip open our circle. Which brings me to........

Why Blog: Reason #3 (Friendsunk)

Like I said, my gals and I are very close. We all met as Freshmen while living in the same dorm complex and our bonds flourished with each periodic gathering in the later terms. Boyfriends came and went but no trouble was felt because none of them stuck around long enough to be welcomed or accepted. Now, though, one of our friends has nabbed a welcomed, potential suitor. Don't get me wrong. We're happy for her. This is what we've wanted for each other. I just didn't think C would leave me so quickly.

At first, I thought it was envy I felt, since said suitor was a potential for most of us and plus I assumed C's time was still distant. However, I eventually came to realize that it was actually sadness that was gnawing at me (quite literally). I play the supportive friend, but each time she relays her new stories, I feel an invisible pair of forceps pinching me. [On a side note: This must be how R feels whenever he sees his newly engaged ex.] Thus, I turn to blogger-space to mark this end of an era and leap forth onto a new ship to sail beyong C & E.

Oops, I just noticed the question went un-answered. But it's late and all of the lovebirds have flown, so I'll leave the answer up to you readers.

Chocolate Melt-Down

I have a lovely box of truffles sitting in front of me and a bag of m&m/Mars mix waiting for me at home. Yet, I can't bring myself to even touch one. Not even a fantasy. Christmas has ruined my taste buds with the constant downpour of sweet temptations. My mouth is salivating, but each time I begin to imagine picking up a truffle and sinking my teeth into them, I feel a knot in my stomach (yes, stomach; right beneath my heart). It's almost nauseating.

What has become of me? I used to love chocolate. Truffles were a luxury, Twix was a pleasure and Snickers hit the spot when hunger beckoned. I bought the V-Day pack last weekend just because I felt this occasion required some chocolate. Come to think of it, I probably chose this particular pack out of habbit rather than due to some intense craving. Snickers used to be my Ichiban, yet I cannot recall the last time I ate one (although if I had to guess, I'd probably say around Halloween). Perhaps I should have gone with my initial selection of Reese's cups, but then again, just the thought of them (at this moment) has sucked the sweetness out of my saliva.

Why Blog: Reason #2 (New Readership)

I'm tired of conversing with myself. Not that I don't have anyone else to talk to. It's just, there are certain subjects that are restricted to certain groups. I mean, I have really close friends and relatives that I hang out and chat with, but they are not open to all types of discussion, at least not from me. I don't have a bff with whom I can talk to about anything and everything.....unless you count moi.

I know it sounds pathetic, but believe me, I've tried expanding my topics with the usual suspects, but it's useless. Frankly, I'm tired of hearing "I wasn't paying attention," or "I didn't hear/understand a word you said." Sometimes, it's easier and more fun to engage in a heated debate with a stranger or new acquaintance. I enjoy reading other people's personal blogs, so there's bound to be an audience out there who will read mine. ;)

New Year Tidbits

The celebrations seem to get shorter and shorter every year. Partly because our relatives have moved further and further; partly because we are older and less caring. For example, there used to be several nights of gambling and many houses to visit. Now we see most people at the temple and just stop by Grams for a quick hello. The all-night gambling rings of previous years have eroded into pretend fun for the kids. So much for tradition, huh? At least the food is still good, although we have cut back on the sweets. Those have been deferred to Christmas along with half of the gifts and decor.