Two of my friends asked me recently when I would blog about food again. I guess it has been a couple of months since I did that–and I’ve had some good meals recently, too.
For instance, this weekend, I was in Berkeley visiting friends and doing research. Saturday night I had dinner at Zatar with Ben and Gigi. I told them I would cry if we didn’t order hummus, so we did; the waitress teased us for licking the plate clean. We also shared the summer vegetable tagine which was out of this world and a chicken special in phyllo. Both main dishes contained the unexpected taste of cinnamon.
Then, yesterday morning I went with Jonathan to Brown Sugar Kitchen, a soul food restaurant in Oakland. I refused to have the unnatural combination of chicken and waffles. I’m sorry, there are some things that just shouldn’t touch on a plate. The egg pie with veggies and mushrooms was delicious, though. I also liked their t-shirt with a waffle on it (though at first glance it could have been brains).
Both restaurants feature local, organic food–both have attractive interiors, both were packed, and in both I was in the company of good conversationalists.
I think I’m collecting restaurants I love in the Bay area . . . and I just added two more to the list. Happily, I’ll be returning in a couple of weeks to attend the wedding of Steve and Rex. This time I’ll try to remember to take pictures.
Zatar Restaurant
1981 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, California
Brown Sugar Kitchen
2534 Mandela Parkway
Oakland, California
510-839-SOUL (7685)
My kitchen range had to go. The oven was caked with a black slick that wouldn’t dissolve, no matter how much I tried to clean it off. The warming oven didn’t work, and I could only use two of the burners. Although it had the charm of a much older range, it just wasn’t working properly.
It seemed like a perfect space for a new gas range, but I learned that it would have cost a whole lot of money to pipe gas to the right place . . . so I went with a big electric range.
Yesterday on Twitter, someone tweeted something that I’ve been thinking about all day: “conversation is not a competition.” I’m probably overly conscious of the ways that we can monopolize a conversation, transforming a conversation into a monologue. This comment, though, made me think about the important role of listening in conversations, especially since it was made within the context of thinking about the value of the “pause.” Lately, I’ve been wondering if I really listen or if I just “perform” listening by nodding my head, making eye contact, and saying “uh huh” periodically to indicate my attention. Too often, I think, we use the time that someone is talking to formulate what we want to say instead of really listening.
Today in a group discussion I decided to try to focus on listening. Here’s what happened: the conversation moved in directions I didn’t anticipate. There were a lot of things I was thinking that didn’t make it into the conversation since other people changed the course away from the topic that I was still considering. At the end of the conversation, there was a lot that I wanted to write about.
So I’m left with this question. Do I engage in conversation to share my ideas or do I value more the opportunity to learn from others?
One could argue that I need to practice the ability to listen and formulate my response more quickly (in those brief instances between comments). One could also argue that it might be a good thing to continue thinking about ideas after a conversation is over. Perhaps developing good listening skills could lead to better/more writing and a deeper understanding of a topic. I’m going to keep pondering this as I practice listening.
Over the last few days, NRK has been broadcasting live footage of the Hurtigruten cruise along the Norwegian coastline. I’d seen some of my Norwegian friends mention this on Facebook, but this morning, I finally got around to finding it online. The ship is almost to Lofoten, an archipelago I visited while I lived in Norway. I just checked my blog to see what I wrote about this trip . . . and it seems I didn’t write anything, I think because this was just the first part of a 10 day trip. So here’s a much belated entry about wonderful Lofoten.
I was invited to present in Stokmarknes and Melbu by an energetic teacher, Siri Johnsen, who had never before had a visit from a Roving Scholar. She was so enthusiastic about my trip—and about where she lived. Since I also had heard from many others how beautiful Lofoten was, I traveled there a few days early. On the advice of Maj-Britt, the travel agent for the Roving Scholars, I chose Svolvær, a small town known for its striking scenery, as my destination. Although it was late January when I arrived, there had been quite a bit of rain followed by freezing temperatures that left a thick coat of (melting) ice on the roads. The hotel I was staying at was about a 10 minute walk from the center of town—and in order to avoid the ice, I had to walk down the middle of the mostly empty road. As I was there during the off season, the whale watching trips and other tourist activities were closed. I spent a quiet few days there, taking photos of the spectacular scenery on long walks, reading, and walking into town to eat.
I then went to Stokmarknes to present. Siri had prepared the students for my visit, even inviting a local reporter, Vegard Bakkely (who wrote a story about me published in the local paper), to attend my presentations. I spent the day with a really nice group of students, talking about American culture. The students were funny and engaged—and I remember that they asked really good questions about the U.S. Later, they made a video about Norwegian food for me to share with American students. Speaking of food, I also enjoyed a delicious lunch with the Hadsel VGS teachers that featured whale and a traditional dinner with Siri, her American husband and another teacher that evening. Siri gave me a beautiful necklace that I still wear and love—and I think of my visit to her school every time I put it on.
I also presented in Melbu, a small fishing village south of Stokmarknes. One of the teachers arranged a last minute presentation with students at the ungdomskole, the only time I presented to younger students during my Fulbright year. This group, too, was delightful—they were energetic and funny . . . and so excited to have an American to talk with. Several of them walked me to my hotel afterwards and two emailed later to ask if I could find an American penpal for them. My stay in Melbu was especially memorable because I had been the only one at the hotel the night before. Even the hotel employees went home and left me alone, but they had returned in the morning to make breakfast for me. I also really enjoyed walking around the area thinking about the cod that is caught and dried there. Cod (baccalhau) was such an important dish to Portugal, another country I’ve lived in, that it was fascinating to see where it originates.
Lofoten is one of the most beautiful places in the world, I think. I hope to return some day.
Note: the first three pictures are from Svolvaer, the last from Melbu.
When I was in Norway, one of my less frequently requested presentations was on food. My first incarnations of this presentation were a little dry, so I decided I needed to augment this first draft with some humor. One thing I added was an excerpt of the following video:
Yeah, maybe I was a little desperate–but I have to admit that this video made me chuckle.
Fast forward to 2011. Recently, I went to Kansas City for the National Writing Project’s Web Presence Retreat. We spent most of the weekend in the hotel’s conference room, working with really smart people to create individual protected social networking sites housed at NWP Connect. I was excited to meet some of the people that I’ve been following on Twitter, people who are committed to teaching with technology and who have all kinds of good ideas about 21st century learning. Even though it was a working weekend, it was exhilarating to be in the same room with such innovative teachers.
Saturday night, we actually left the hotel for the first time in 24 hours. A group of over 20 of us went to Gates Bar-B-Q, one of the two best barbecue joints in Kansas City, according to locals Michael and Steve. I don’t eat a lot of meat, so I was a bit flummoxed as I stood in line waiting to order. I can’t remember who was in front of me (Anne Marie? Beth?), but I decided to order the ribs that one of the Gates employees recommended. The ribs were so good that I commented, “I like the idea of being vegetarian, except for the part where you don’t get to eat meat,” much to the delight of my twitter pal, MsEstep. I also really loved the green beans which were, I’m sure, meat-ified somehow. I’d post a picture but, for some reason, my computer wants to protect my most recent upload. Suffice it to say that the ribs looked like ribs . . . and tasted like the most delicious food ever.
So . . . back to the video. Although the video is definitely a parody of regional culinary differences, I think it still illustrates a passion for barbecue that I now share. Last night, I went to a barbecue at a friend’s house and ate . . . a veggie burger. It was delicious–there’s just something about the smoke from the grill that adds such a nice flavor to food–but a veggie burger isn’t as savory and jaw-droppingly mouthwatering as Gates Bar-B-Q.
Gates Bar-B-Q
various locations (see website)
Kansas City, MO
Last week I was in Berkeley for several days, working as a reviewer for the National Writing Project’s Continued Funding Applications. This event was so well thought out–new reviewers were supported and mentored through the process of reading and writing responses to each site’s CFA. Leaders emphasized the need to give feedback that would help each site to accentuate their strengths and follow the model of putting teacher expertise at the center of all we do. I have come to love all things NWP; I love spending time with positive, good hearted people who engage with current research about teaching writing and who are committed to making education better.
This post, then, is for some new friends that were intrigued when they found out that I like to blog about food. Kim and Amy had never heard of food blogs and were bemused when they found out that I have one (oooh, I guess “had” since this blog includes a little bit of everything). Anyway, here goes.
Berkeley has so many wonderful, organic restaurants. Since NWP provided food for breakfast, lunch, and one dinner, I only had time to fit in a few meals out. My first stop when I hit Oakland was Burma Superstar. I ordered “The Lunch;” the tea leaf salad wasn’t as good as it usually is, but the samusa soup was so rich and flavorful–and the combination of chunks of samusa and falafel with cabbage created a nice depth to the soup.
After a long day’s work, Friday night a group of us went to Venus, a restaurant that my friends Alex and Kyle recommended. I loved the interior of the restaurant which felt cozy and warm. My meal was good, but not great. I ordered short ribs, which were a bit too fatty though I liked the gremolata on top. I was much more enamored of the mashed yellow finns (potatoes), parsnips, and kale underneath the meat.
The real stand out of the meal for me was the toffee pudding which was rich and decadent with its topping of coriander cream. I shared with everyone, but the pudding was so rich that I still had more than enough.
Saturday night, my wonderful table leader Karen invited us to dinner. Her friend Pat really loves Five at the Hotel Shattuck, so that’s where we ate. I decided to order the stuffed pepper and, oh, was it good! Filled with a combination of “ancient grains,” pistachios and spinach and topped with ricotta cheese and romesco sauce, the stuffed pepper had a wonderful texture that was both chewy and silky smooth. I’ve never been a fan of stuffed peppers, but I am now. This meal was by far the best one of the trip.
To end my Berkeley food experiences, Joanne and I ate at Karma Kitchen (which runs out of the Taste of Himalayas restaurant on Sundays). My meal there was just average, but I loved the concept. Here’s their description: “Imagine a restaurant where there are no prices on the menu and where the check reads $0.00 with only this footnote: ‘Your meal was a gift from someone who came before you. To keep the chain of gifts alive, we invite you to pay it forward for those dine after you.’” A sense of giving permeated the restaurant, both from the volunteers who waited tables and the diners who felt part of a transitory community of givers. As I paid the check, I didn’t care how much the food was worth, I just wanted to make sure this tradition continued.
As I drove home Sunday afternoon, I felt a glorious sense of well being. I suppose the beautiful weather and good food contributed to that feeling, but I also felt a sense of work well done and joyous camaraderie with like-minded people.
Burma Superstar
4721 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
510 652-2900
Venus
2327 Shattuck
Berkeley, CA
510-540-5950
Five
2086 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA
510-225-6055
Karma Kitchen/Taste of Himalayas
1700 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA
I’ve been known to be critical of those who try (unsuccessfully) to defy the aging process. I’ve been judgmental, yes, I think that’s the right word, judgmental of people who get botox injections or plastic surgery . . . or elderly women who wear clothing that conflicts with their age or older men who date younger women in a transparent attempt to feel youthful. It’s been easy to be so critical, since I’ve looked rather younger than my age (thanks for your good genes, Mom and Dad). I was at a party the other night, and someone kept saying to me “You don’t have any wrinkles” in an accusatory manner. I pointed out my crow’s feet, but that didn’t seem to matter.
Still, over the last few months, I’ve seen my body start to change. In spite of my intense bouts on the treadmill and the weight lifting, I’m gaining weight. Even though I’ve started taking B Vitamins intravenously (kidding), my hair has started to thin. The other night while waiting to drift off to sleep, I came to the happy realization that if I lose my hair, I can start wearing wigs . . . beautiful wigs with thick hair in whatever color I choose.
I live in a society where older women can get overlooked. I see myself doing that sometimes, much to my dismay. At the same time, I have older female friends who are gutsy, independent, and absolutely vibrant. As of this moment, I’m committing to defy not aging but diminishment.
I plan to be a loud, smart-a**, feisty old woman who travels the world and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks of me. I’ll study new languages and become an expert in all kinds of unexpected things. I’ll wear patterns with patterns and doc martens that look like motorcycle boots. I’ll have a different wig for different moods, and I’ll keep listening to alt-rock until the day I die.
When that day comes, cremate me in my docs and scatter my ashes in the wind. A box won’t be able to contain the energy I release.
I was in Orlando just before Thanksgiving for the annual meeting of the National Writing Project. My home for the meeting was the Disney Contemporary Hotel–which was actually pretty cool with its mid-century modern design and indoor monorail track. There were about 11 of us from the Fresno area who attended, so one night we all went out to dinner at Iron Chef Cat Cora’s Kouzzina, one of the few places we could get a table for a large group. The restaurant is family friendly with an open kitchen and lots of shouts of “opa!”
As I do frequently, I ordered from the appetizer menu. I couldn’t decide on just two, so I ordered an extra appetizer to eat as breakfast the next morning. The avgolemono, a creamy lemon chicken soup, was divine. Months later, I can still taste that soup. I also really enjoyed the saganaki, seared Haloumi Cheese with oregano and a grilled lemon to squeeze on top. Yes, the cheese and bread were breakfast, but I also tried it that night so I could taste what it was like fresh from the grill.
Avgolemono
The other dish I ordered was Beets with skordalia (in this case, garlicky potatoes). Oh, yum.
Although these dishes seemed designed for a more mainstream crowd, I was glad to try a couple of new-to-me Greek dishes . . . I think now I need to try the real thing.
And Disney World? Well, let’s just say that, although the conference was great, I grew tired of having everyone tell me to “have a magical day!” Good thing for those rollercoasters at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studio–those rides took my breath away, made me hang on tight, and provoked all kinds of screams and laughter.
Spoiler Alert: Do not read further if you actually want to the see the irritating Black Swan.
I’ve been thinking today about autobiographical screenplays I could write. I started with the title Middle Aged Geek a narrative chronicling my movement from technological ignorance (think Natalie Portman as simpering, foolish White Swan) to competency (powerful Black Swan-like performance which, I hope, will not lead to an early demise). Or maybe I should write Cyberstalker, a noir thriller in which I’d gradually go crazy (yes, think Black Swan again) because of my paralyzing devotion to google. Or how about Intellectual Dilettante, a mannered, pretentious film (you know, like Black Swan) in which Natalie Portman (playing me) would submerge herself in a long, long string of ever changing academic pursuits punctuated by one scene in which she lets loose and actually lives life.
I have no point in this post, although I have to admit that Black Swan did give me a lot to think about–and I really did love that amazing Black Swan scene . . . I need a scene like that in my screenplay, Emerging from Seclusion, the story of how I re-integrated back into life after secluding myself because of a crushing disappointment.
During the 2009-10 school year, I decided to try something new every month. I really enjoyed the attitude that created in me, the idea that I could stretch, push, expand my horizons and that there were still many things in life that I wanted to try.
But over the last few months, I’ve floundered a bit. I’ve been overwhelmingly busy now that I’m coordinating the English credential program again. That job creates a great deal of stress in my life, I guess because I want to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that our English Education majors feel like they get good advising. I think I’ve still been trying new things, but I haven’t been feeling the same expansion that I felt last year.
So yesterday, I realized what my next year should focus on. It’s actually quite similar to the “try new things” year, only this time, I really want to challenge the negative thinking that holds me back from creating new structures and new ways of doing things. I’m going to challenge myself to think “why not” instead of caving to the idea that things are unchangeable. A lot of this will have to do with my job. For example, I plan to create podcasts related to advising. I’m going to invite learning directors at schools to attend our new master teacher meeting, as a way to try to help them understand what our vision for student teaching is. I plan to regularly force myself to think about other ways things could be done.
Although much of the work I want to do over the next year is related to my job, I hope that attitude will spill over to my every day life as well. I want to re-think how I relate to the world and try to transform how I live every day.
This feels really ambitious; I know that real change takes time. I’m thinking this endeavor won’t result in the easy-to-measure listing of the one new thing I did each month. Still, I’m excited to see what effect this has on my life. Great or small, it doesn’t really matter to me, as long as I’m challenging myself to be open to new structures and ways of doing things.
