Life at a stand still

Wait, this is a threshold where life shifts its gears
It is a brand new exciting year:
A turning point, where each moment lingers... new experiences to give a sense of wonder

Yet, when it slows down, someone please help put that frown back on upside down
It feels like life is standing still
when there are hopes and dreams to fulfill --
What has happened to finding ways when there's a will?

Trying to hold the world like an oyster in my hands;
Perhaps, it takes patience like finding the right man
But the candle has only so much wax for hope to keep burning
I am still waiting....

Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake

2 1/4 cups sifted flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda

Combine these, then cream:
2/3 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Add: 1 cup coffee
2/3 cup sauerkraut rinsed & chopped fine

Add liquids to dry ingredients. Mix well. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes. Cool.

Frosting: 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
3 Tbsp icing sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp vanilla

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Notes: I personally have not tried this recipe, but it is my boyfriend's mom's recipe.

A Piano Concert Review

(Much thanks to Lianne P for the ESO tickets! I was able to write this review for an applied music course.)

On January 31, 2009, I had the greatest pleasure to watch the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’s Keyboard Masterpieces in concert.

MOZART
Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K271 "Jeunnehomme" (32’)*
Allegro
Andantino
Rondeau: Presto[1]

Sara Davis Buechner performed an intricate Mozart’s three-movement piano concerto. It was amazing how the piano soloist could remain in perfect timing with the orchestra throughout three different tempos. Every trill and ornament played during the concerto was very graceful and elegant; there were a lot of trills in the Allegro movement; there was a sense of youth in the first movement. Also it was very rewarding to be able to observe what the song was going to unfold by watching the pianist’s facial expressions. This was evident in the second movement in C minor; it was as if I was watching an opera singer singing a sad aria. It was very dramatic; there was a change in character. You could tell there must have been something tragic happening during this movement. Observing character changes between different movements during this piano concerto has helped me with interpreting the songs I have been playing as a classical pianist.

The highlight of the piano concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major was the transition between Andantino to Rondeau. The dance sharply contrasts the mood from Andantino. There was a great and glorious emphasis of repetitive patterns in the dance movement. There is a passionate story behind the pianist’s interpretive playing; that story was worthwhile listening to.

Overall, the concert was very inspiring. It made me realize how countless hours of practicing can be very rewarding. There is a story to tell in every song. It is the story that people would love to listen to, rather than just paying attention to the techniques alone.

---

[1] http://www.edmontonsymphony.com/SeasonTickets/200809Repertoire/ProgramNotes/tabid/420/EntryID/20/Default.aspx

Duck Fight!

World Wrestling of Ducks, Wedgewood, Kelowna BC -- during reading break in February 2009. I'm not entirely sure what the ducks were fighting about; perhaps it was over a piece of bread.

"BAILOUT": the most loosely used word today

Domino's Pizza is having a Super Big Taste Bailout. "We know times are hard, it's a reality we are all facing," says [Dave] Brandon, [CEO]. "But I didn't go to Washington to ask for a bailout. Instead, we are giving one. I'm proud to be able to offer our consumers a promotion with such a great deal on pizza. By adding our oven baked sandwiches to the mix we are further increasing the number of taste varieties to the offering." (Yahoo Finance)

After watching the TV commercial on Fox TV, I can't help but roll my eyes and yet be amazed at such a genius marketing campaign. People will tend to reduce their fine $300 dining to something cheaper -- guess what, pizza just so happens to be convenient and decently affordable. When there are so many pizza eateries competing for market share, you need a good strategy to bait your customers.

Hearing the word "bail-out" being used loosely makes me cringe. First, in basic economic terms, it is an "economic stimulus package". I understand it is a lengthy phrase to use, but "bail" kind of rhymes with "jail" -- it somewhat leaves a bad taste in my ears; it might connote free money when it's taxpayers' money. Of course, most of you would have heard about the recent AIG executives' compensation scandal by now. Nevertheless, when the average North American is hooked on tabloid news, it's so easy for people to sensationalize the state of the economy. Little do they know when the media delivers unnecessary bad news, they are playing with fire: economic confidence can be dwindling further. There is a fine line between telling the truth and dressing up the facts with feather boa and stiletto heels. Sadly though, the reality is: bad news sell.

All of a sudden, it is super cool to be frugal again. Many companies are adjusting their marketing campaigns accordingly. Maybe this recession should bring us a reality check. Do we really need what we want? I know things are so much cheaper now, compared with prices during the boom periods. We, however, need to realize we are living in a demand-driven society. If the manufacturer receives very few orders, based on our purchasing habits, for a particular item, it would not be profitable for them to produce so much. There is about 80% over-capacity in the auto industry; cars are not going to sell when people have less disposable income during a recession.

Having a quick glance at DPZ's (Domino's Pizza) Dec 2008 financials, they are not doing too shabby financially; they have decent liquidity ratios. Present economic times will still present some challenges for DPZ, but it would not be as major as most would think. I think the CEO's quoted comment is cute/smart: you can't really compare food industry to the auto nor financial industry. (Different industries do well at different cycles of the economy; different goods have different values in price.) So, the usage of the term "bailout", in this case, is meant to create hype.

Are we going to see a recovery? Yes, I would hope so. I believe it will recover, in time. It will take time for my generation to build net worth and invest in equity. The growth might not be as significant as it was when Baby Boomers were holding onto their stocks, but it is not the end of the world. The Andex charts can prove it.

Two Queens in Chess Titans?

I would be ecstatic if you could resurrect another queen when your pawn advances to the other side. This game is so newbie friendly! I have been in competitive chess tournaments where you swear the clock is going way too fast for you and where "a touch is a move". I am not learning anything by undo-ing all my moves all the time, but hey, I can beat the computer! Look:

Chapter 20

Image found on flickr.com

This poem was written when I visited Brunei when I was 20. I had completely forgotten about this poem, but it still remains in my room. This poem brings back quite similar sentiments at Chapter 24, being once again back in my hometown.... It's funny how old poems never fail to re-inspire and help validate the person you always have been. Happy New Year, everyone!
(A poem by Cynthia Chiew, written on 20th July 2004, at 11.00pm)

CHAPTER 20
Each stage in life
has its commas,
question and exclamation marks!
Bend the pages
You can't go back but
You reminisce
Each chapter, each story,
smile and laughter
Hold your breath,
There are more chapters
Awaiting a happy ending ...