Food for Thought

A couple of years ago, I taught a graduate class on Monday nights. Since I taught an earlier MWF class, I stayed on campus all day. When I was able to get most of my work done, I'd treat myself to a meal at Jasmine Garden (2633 E. Shaw) just across the street from the CSU Fresno campus. Frequently, I'd run into other professors from my department, but we'd usually sit at separate tables since we were all getting ready to teach a Monday night class. With books or notes open in front of us, we'd "cram" for class while eating Vietnamese food.

The restaurant has delicious spring rolls and pho, but the dish I most enjoyed was pad pak which I always ordered with tofu.

I loved the combination of vegetables: baby corn, pea pods, broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, and mushrooms. I also loved the dark, slightly sweet sauce and the fried tofu. Most of all, I loved that there were so many vegetables, I never felt I needed rice to go with the dish. I'd eat what I could, savoring each bite as I reviewed work for class or just enjoyed an hour of freedom. It helped that my class was wonderful, one of the best graduate classes I've ever taught. Going to class was fun, not at all stressful, because the students were smart, insightful, and always ready to discuss. When the semester was over, I missed my Monday night ritual.

A few days ago, I returned to Jasmine Garden with the teachers involved in the San Joaquin Valley Writing Project's Summer Institute 2008. We have a social each week, and this week we decided to have a long lunch at Jasmine Garden. 17 of us were seated at a long table and there was animated discussion from every section.

I've blogged about this at The Icing, but I love this group of people. I spent an hour or two yesterday morning reading some of the writing they've produced so far and was again struck by what generous and kind human beings they are. Their writing moved me to think about connections and interdependence . . . which led to a blog post that crystalizes my most recent explorations/reflections.

So far, Jasmine Garden holds only good memories and associations for me. Delicious food, stimulating conversation, food for thought.