Engulfment is a moment of hypnosis. A suggestion functions, which commands me to swoon without killing myself. Whence, perhaps, the gentleness of the abyss: I have no responsibility here, the act (of dying) is not up to me: I entrust myself, I transmit myself (to whom? to God, to Nature, to everything, except to the other).
– A Lover’s Discourse Roland Barthes
For no reason at all, I baked some heart shaped raisin scones for the first time (they were fabulous btw!!), a fresh loaf of 12 grain bread, and cooked up a big pot of vege soup this afternoon. Facebooked bff Linda over and she just came — after her busy day treating patients! — she makes me happy 
We had the loveliest time on my roof garden, the day was beautiful…
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love her!!!Â
This Quintet was Franck’s very last composition. The story says, Franck was madly in love with his pupil, a very talented young woman composer who was, unfortunately, happily married. The poor old Franck could only bury his passion in this work.
Saïnt-Saëns, a student at the conservatory at the time, was the pianist who premiered the composition. At the end of the performance, Franck, extremely happy with it, in front of the audience, gave the manuscript to Saïnt-Saëns as a token of appreciation. A genitor later found it left on the stage — Saïnt-Saëns didn’t take the score, for that he was in love with the same woman…
hah, I am a sucker (excuse my language) for this kind of stories… 
I heard the music was not published until after Franck’s wife passed away — she wouldn’t allow it… sigh…
Allegro non troppo, ma con fucco
Jascha Heifetz, Leonard Pennario, Israel Baker, William Primrose, Gregor Piatigorsky performing.
This recording always gets me boiled up… I could hear the impassioned and saddened heart beats restlessly in this gorgeous performance…
A preview for you, FrankenBob, until I record my own (probably will never be as good…) — it suits your mood and all our moods… hope the weather in England gets better…
Making dinner at bff Linda’s last night. Had mover packed up all my books — didn’t have enough time nor resources to sketch up a more complexed menu… But it was still a tasty dinner, well, I assume, and as I was told since I didn’t eat any of the food — on the 4th day of my raw vege juice fast — trying to regain my health.Â
Chilled Yellow Tomato Soup with Avocado Sorbet (my fav soup in the world)
Arugula and Watercress Salad with Vanilla Bean and Cracked Pepper Dressing
Pappardelle Bolognese (one of my favorite things to make, love making pasta from scratch and Mario Batali’s Bolognese recipe is to die for…)
Espresso Torrone with Drunken Cherries
Went off to hear my dear friend Jed‘s jazz piano performance after at Cafe Vivaldi, the lady singing in the clip actually works at the cafe bar… Enjoyed it very much, fun night
OK… I am in one of those moods…
I actually don’t eat any of these things I make (lucky friends I have ) Having a big jug of raw vege juice for breakfast for real…
Making Shredded Daikon Cake 蘿蔔絲餅 7 am this morning, another popular Taiwanese street item.
First step is to salt the shredded daikon and then squeeze out as much liquid as possible…
Salt + peppery raw daikon was sooo PAINFUL to the sensitive skin… did I say OUCH!!!!!!
Hard to imagine how much liquid that little daikon gave out!
Wrapped the filling (shredded daikon, salt & white pepper, scallion, sesame oil) in simple hot-water-flour-dough then fry them on the stove… they smell really good…
what do you think? yum
Made one of the most popular Taiwanese street items — Egg Layered Pancake 蛋餅 from scratch for brunch today — still remember the long line next to a little cart stopped everyday at the backdoor of my junior high school selling this thing. Never tasted it then, still didn’t eat it today — back being my strict vegan self…
Making the dough
hiking in the 邢天剛 Mountain
Thought this combo was too hilarious —
fancy schmancy Katherine Malandrino silk dress +
ROLLED UP low rise boot cut jeans +
silk stockings +
slippers borrowed from sis-in-law Allison (note: I don’t even own one pair of flats… ever!)
Catching me hiking in the mountains again? probably never…
Dine at “Dot” (隨æ„鳥地方), a panoramic city view restaurant on the 85th floor of Taipei 101 with two high school friends tonight. Special requested the chef to make me a plate of raw vege with no dairy nor dressing, was glad the masterful chef didn’t get offended — just couldn’t eat anymore refined food
looking out from our window seat table… love Taipei 101…Â
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iPhone G3 Chinese version and iPhone first generation English version with a nice bottle of Chianti at InHouse Lounge… hmm, time to get the G3 with a new number.
nice to see old friends, we’ve grown up so (if not old already) Â Â
