Smart Value Prop

As we all want to send smart messages to sell a product, or an idea, or whatever to the target audiences, it's often very difficult to craft a good one. But, one come cross my way today that I like -

While 20% of babies who were exposed to classical music in utero become doctors or lawyers, 100% of babies born onstage during a classical music performance become Bill Gates. Increase your chances of a lavish retirement with today's deal: for $19 you get one general admission ticket to the Peninsula Symphony at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center or the Flint Center at De Anza College (up to a $38 value).

Oh, well, guess we are all flocking to the classical performances now....

Random Night Out

Went out for a Happy Hour one night. Very random, like most of the other things I usually do.

Along with us, there is this very troublesome kid, my cousin Jack.

Dinner at Tibetan's Home Restaurant.

Somehow, rather randomly, digged this photo out tonight.

Gosh! That was two years ago when I took my parents on a trip to JiuZhaiGou, also called the Nine Tibetan Villages, in China. We certainly were the curious tourists who take pleasure in hanging out with the locals, tasting the traditional cuisines and experiencing the culture. So, we thought it might be a good idea to go have dinner at a Tibetan Home Restaurant, a home for a family of 3-generations and 10 kids who are all beautiful and talented in singing and dancing.

The secret? They told me that they sing and dance while farming cows on the hills everyday. And, if they sing well, even the cows will remain calm and relaxed. :)

The food is just simple, non-pretentious, non-refined in any form. But, the presentation, the novelty of eating something untried, and the experience of spending the night watching the 10 kids performing totally satisfied our curiosity towards the mysterious Tibetan culture and their people.

Confucius Temple Nanjing

One of Nanjing's must-see places would be the area around the Qin Huai River and the famous Confucius Temple. During the old days, this riverside region had a bustling nightlife where extravagant nobles, talents and businessmen flock to the restaurants, dance halls and whorehouses in this area. In Chinese literature, it is famed as a place for beauty queens and romance.

Here is me with YangYang, another cousin of mine.

The "lucky Money Tree" is one of the symbols of the Confucius Temple and supposed to bring people luck and good fortune. Guess with this picture taken with the lucky tree, I am getting rich in no time!

A Weekend of Expansive Baby-Sitting

Not sure how I ended up baby-sitting a high-schooler for the weekend. Jack, my cousin, is visiting me during his school break.

Here is how happy and goofy he looked like when I took him out for dim sum. Guess there is no real Chinese food in where he goes to school. :)

The glamorous baby-sitter. Over the weekend, I found out that I simply could not handle sweet-talks, and have no principle with kids like Jack. Within two days, we have acquired a PS3 station, a shooting gun for the game, a few games, a gym membership, a new basket ball....And, he is trying to talk me into buying a new TV for him to play the newest games. I guess thank God, I finally drew a line above the TV idea.

Now he looked miserable and sad going shopping with me and carrying my shopping bags.

Growing up as a single kid, I have always dreamed about opportunities like this to boss around my little brother. Especially, when I was a kid, his parents used to play with me like a toy. Now, my dream came true today. And it's the pay-back time. Ha, Ha, ... Sooooo cool! In his word, I am bossing him around at home as if I were the queen. Nice!

But, honestly, I do enjoy spending time with this little kid and trying my best to tolerate him practicing his womanlizing skills with me. I am thinking about calling his dad soon with some detailed reports.

Halibut and Chickpea Salad

For food, as well as many other things in life, I prefer simple, elegant and delicious.

And, you know how you would feel when you smell the fennel and olive oil dressing, and then take a small bite of this salad, a mouthful of juicy grilled halibut, sweet cherry tomato, slightly bitter arugula and textured chickpeas...

Made this yummy salad for a friend-gathering at home, and received rave reviews. :)

Ingredients
Halibut:
1 (6-ounce) halibut steak
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Salad:

1 head frisee, chopped
1 cup arugula, chopped
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 fennel bulb, stalk removed, halved, and thinly sliced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lemon, juiced
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
For the halibut: Place a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the halibut with olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Let the fish rest for a few minutes then cut into 1-inch cubes.

For the salad: In a large bowl, combine the frisee, arugula, tomatoes, chickpeas, and fennel. In a small bowl mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, cumin, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the salad and toss to combine. Top with fish and serve.

Girls Weekend Hang-Out

Lunch at Sino first. I still think they have the better Leech martinis at the Santana Row.

Two martinis later, we decided to move onto the Village Bistro for some wines and French food.

We ordered this oven-baked brie wrapped in paper-thin pastry paper, garnished with roasted apple and almond slices. It was warm and toasty, sweet and creamy. Totally wonderful!

We were so in love with the dish and ended up ordering two of those in spite the high calorie count. All my morning work-out were completely wasted. :) Great time tho!

After the food and wine, we went to see a ballet show, Swan Lake. Another sensational experience.