Seattle Part Deux, Day 1

So I find myself back in Seattle again, 10 1/2 years later. This time at least, I've decided that I can afford to take the bus now and then instead of walking all over bum-f***, and eat more than a loaf of sourdough and plain water (life as a sad and poor backpacking undergrad...unfortunately, not much has changed since then. Still staying in a hostel. So much for going back to school! Wails....). Happily though, I found a bakery in Pike's Place that sells day-old bread for $1, and the produce looks affordable, and tasty.

I still like to walk though. I like to see the slow passage of the city as it passes under my feet, and hear the sounds of the hubbub as they pass. Took in some modern art at the Olympic Sculpture Park in the morning, and plunged into the heady mix that is Pike's Place Market. Even got to see some fish slinging. Took the streetcar (it's free) to the International District to check out the Japanese grocery/department store, which is very much like a Daimaru, down to the adjoining Kinokuniya. Tried out a dimsum recommendation from Urbanspoon, and surprisingly, it wasn't too bad! The servings were generous though, and couldn't make it through more than 3 plates (the xiu mai were the size of lemons). Wish I had a eating buddy.

Wandered through Pioneer Square, which is pretty, and ducked into the Klondike museum for some warmth and a bit of gold prospecting history. Given the trials and travails the prospectors went through for that shiny yellow metal, I wonder again what the allure of this inedible, artificially valued substance is. The tiny waterfall garden is worth a visit if in the neighbourhood, and should be great for a quiet read in summer. May try to go for the underground tour later this week, depending on schedule.

The feet were starting to ache a little, so took a little detour to the public library, which really reminds me of the Singapore National Lib, except more avant garde in design. I really enjoyed the spiral section which wound through the middle of the building, completely lined with books. Stayed longer than planned when I came across the graphic novel section. Even had a nice reading corner by the glass walls of the 8th floor overlooking downtown. Superb.

It gets dark at 5pm around here. And light at 8am. Winters are kinda depressing. But, the Christmas lights were still out downtown, which gave it a rather festive air. Walked through the shopping district (I found out today Nordstrom was a Klondike prospector and started the store with the $13000 he earned), and mosied lazily back to the hostel.

No late-night clubbing for me, I'm afraid. Have been notified that I teach next Monday (I return Sunday pm), and I start with plants! Plus I haven't taught this lab yet as I was away last year when it was scheduled. Will be reviewing notes tonight, and maybe designing the lesson powerpoint :(. But, at least I'm warm and will have a hot shower tonight. Simple pleasures.

Update on the car

All dried out after 2 days in the garage, constant air blowing through the a/c system and one really really hot afternoon in the sun (I think I scorched my bum for this one). Also found the answer to the problem on the internet! Ain't google something? Apparently, for those sun roof and moon roof owners, there are drainage channels from the slot corners. The front drains into the front doors, the rear drains behind the rear bumper. These channels get clogged on a periodic basis and need to be cleared. After some tweaking and getting goo-ey black stuff on my hands, water ran clear out the drains. Hooray! It poured this morning too and the car was dry. Am much pleased.

One of those days

I knew the moonroof was leaky but lately it seemed to hold up fine under inclement weather and I thought it must have slotted back snugly into place. Well, I was wrong. Wilmington saw the first of the fierce storms of this year's summer last night, and when I opened the car door to drive to aikido class I saw a steady stream of water flowing down from the moonroof onto the driver's seat. 2 inches of water lay on the floor. Threw a cover over the roof with A and rescued the electronic items from the car. As I was now car-less, was contemplating my options viz. getting to aikido class. It seemed like the commuter was my best bet, and I threw on rain gear and lights and headed out. Only to find much of Wilmington flooded. Cars were stuck in ditches, a fire engine screamed down Racine Dr, thundered roared and lightning flashed overhead. All the while, I was marvelling at the bike's ability to navigate through ankle to shin-deep brown water, and roll over unseen kerbs and potholes. Water ran down my face in rivulets and streamed down through my collar. Never knock a $100 Schwinn. When I got to the dry haven of Gold's Gym, was rounded applauded by the rest of the dojo.

Car was drying today while I contemplated options. Suggestions have ranged from Vaseline to gluing the roof shut with silicone. Or I could ask the mechanic how much it would cost to replace the seal. We'll see.

More Penang recipes

From the Penang Nyonya A-Ma Secret Recipes cookbook:

Assam Udang

Ingredients:
600g prawns
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, shredded
1 red chili, shredded

Seasoning:
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp plum sauce
1 tsp dark soya sauce
150g tamarind pulp, mixed with 200ml water, squeezed

1. Heat oil, saute onion and chili
2. Add prawns, stir well. Pour in seasoning, bring to boil, until sauce thickened.

Telur Belanda

1. Fry eggs until yolk half cooked
2. Fry onion and chili, add eggs, pour in seasoning (sugar, tomato sauce, plum sauce, tamarind pulp water), bring to boil
3. Cook eggs until firm.

Acar

Recipe courtesy of mum :)

Ingredients:
-seasonal vegetables, can include cabbage (I think Napa would be sweet in this), cucumbers, carrots, mangkuang (jicama), longbeans, french beans, etc.
-red chili peppers and shallots, finely minced
-salt, sugar, vinegar
-crushed peanuts

Methods:
-blanch veggies (except cucumber) in boiling water with salt and dash of vinegar
-sprinkle salt on cucumber pieces
-fry veggies with chili and shallots (pinch of tumeric optional), season with salt, add sugar to taste, more vinegar to taste
-squeeze fresh limes if available
-sprinkle with crushed peanuts
TUCK IN!!

Road bike

I realized I never posted a photo of my sweet Synapse! What an oversight! And I've already logged >2000km on it to boot.

Here's what it looked like before it started its journey with me (of course I've swapped the pedals for *ahem* proper ones):

Isn't she gorgeous...

Perspective

The dark clouds of the reeling economy has reached the ivory towers of academia. Was looking forward to going home, and then informed that I would have to take unpaid leave if that was the case. Given the case that summer is when I get paid double, it's a multiplicative whammy- loss of my double income and an expensive air ticket home. Was agonising over the choice to be made, but mumsy put it in perspective- it boils down to one thing- which is more important to you- money or family? Well, I mean, can you seriously see me calling mum to tell her I'm not coming back this year even though I can afford the time because I might have a chance to earn more money? (She did email later on to say not to come because of the swine flu but that's another story.) So there I was, all self-pitying because I value family more than monetary gains. Turns out that the boss isn't getting paid in summer and all faculty are 'encouraged' to take 10 days unpaid leave too, plus a labmate has declined all summer pay so he has the freedom to attend medical treatment if needed. And after my extended conversation about the value of currency and the true value of things! Sometimes I worry I might turn into a self-absorbed, self-deserving person who believe all things are due to me because it is my fundamental right, but you guys will knock me on the head and keep me in check, won't you?

Pedaling for Peanuts Mountain Bike Race

Kick off your summer with a mountain bike race! Pedaling for Peanuts takes place on May 31st, 2009, at the Blue Clay Bike Park, from 10am-4pm. Visit the website for a full list of race categories and fees. All proceeds benefit the Full Belly Project. Support from the local Wilmington community has been good, and we should be getting some rad prizes. There's also a Novice category for beginner mtb-ers who want to try racing. This modified 3.2mile course is not as technical as the BC main trails so theoretically, you could race it on a beach cruiser. Online registration should be open in a week or so, and check the race website for updates! It'll be fun!