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December 29, 2006
Sometimes the greatest journey is the distance between two people
Finally I got to see it - the painted veil.
I have to say I am a little disappointed, which I have already expected, - my expectation was too simply high. I like both the actor and the actress, Edward Norton and Naomi Watts. The scenery is beautiful, this is the real China, which was rarely seen in a western movie.
First, I admire the producers including Edward Norton. They took on a heroic task to shoot the entire movie in China, in the rural village of Guangxi Province not somewhere like the imperial palace. I saw real Chinese people and real Chinese talking in the movie. Sometimes I would laugh, but the audience beside me were quiet, which is kinda awkward. The depiction about that particular part of Chinese history is fairly well, much better than I had expected. The little cute and shy children, the stupid and arrogant general, the old and quiet housekeeper,...... all look real to me. And I recognized a Chinese model- lv yan. I remember back in college my roommate talking about her, the controversial model, ugly in Chinese eye yet insanely attractive in Western view.
Second, I like how the story developed. It's about revenge and final redemption. Sometimes, it is hard to realize the virtures or real beauty when you are surrounded by the busy and flamboyant environment. When Walter and Kiti packed up and left Shanghai, they had no idea of what may lie ahead of them- the hardship of life in the rural China, the consequences of cholera epidemic, the limited social activity, the simple help one can offer and the joy and fulfilled feeling that come along as return. Kiti taught kids how to dance, which she's good at. Walter watched quietly outside of the door, which reminded him of the first glimpse of Kiti in London. As the film went on, I found the Kitty and Walter rather likable and cared about them. It's sad that when Walter died of Cholera and probably the son Kitty was carrying was not theirs. But life went on. And I was somehow relieved and happy to see Kitti call the little boy Walter.
Posted by renh at 04:15 PM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2006
butternut squash cake
1 butternut squash peeled and cut into slices. spread out in tin-foil and bake in the oven 400 degree for 30min or until fork tender. mash the baked squash with fork and stir until it's homogenized. Add some milk, a little maple syrup and sugar (eg 4 spoons). A little nutmeg is suggested but depending on personal taste. Add crasin (cranberry raisin) and chopped pecan. Keep stirring during this process. Add sticky rice flour in batches while stirring. Continue to add flour untile the texture is very very thick.
grease the baking pan with butter and put in the batter. Bake until ready.
Posted by renh at 08:45 PM | Comments (1)
bowtie pasta
small dice and saute sweet onion (or red onion) with EVOO. add salt and pepper to taste. Add cut carrot and mushroom and zucchini. Add diced ham (eg Boar's head maple and honey glazed ham), and add diced and seeded tomato.
Combine cooked pasta with cooked veggie mix.
Posted by renh at 08:39 PM | Comments (4)