NBC is doing a series on their nightly news this week about the changing face of America. Tonight they were saying that the fasting growing segment is the children of immigrants. It showed a young man who was born in the US to parents who spoke limited English so he now has to do everyday things for them like talk to their doctors and deal with service people, a responsibility all of his friends did not have. It was an interesting piece. I talk to people every day who have moved here to pursue their American dream. Some I can communicate with easily and some are not so easy. And lots of them put their teenage kids on the phone to finish up their business. I am a minor part of their day...they have a big responsability.
In January we went to Las Vegas and our cab driver was from Romania. What a nice guy. We were talking about where he was from and how long he'd been here (2 years) and why Las Vegas. I loved his answer. He told me that when he got here his family got off the plane with 2 suitcases each. He chose Las Vegas because it was a place where if you were willing to work hard you could make money. They had enough for a couple months rent and nothing else when they got here. They had to buy furniture, clothes, transportation, kitchen stuff, linens, everything. I cannot imagine starting over like that. He now said his kids--2 teenage boys--are fitting right into American culture....liking American football instead of soccer and they are huge Red Sox fans. His son wanted an ipod for his birthday. This man drove a cab 12 hours a day 6 days a week and his wife had a different job--don't remember what-- that she did the same hours. Both were willing to do this without question so their sons would have opportunities they never had. I was sorry for our ride to end but I liked the man very much. I gave him a big tip. :)
I can't say I don't have any prejudice...like the movie Crash points out, we all do. Everytime I call tech support form my dsl and get Habib it comes out big time. Everytime I have to point at my toes to communicate pedicure at the nail shop i get annoyed. But I fight against it every day and now my nail person knows what I want when I come in so hopefully I will keep trying to become a better person.
On a funny note, on Ugly Betty last week Amanda was saying she always called her credit card company after hours so she'll get someone in India because they are nicer to her. She was telling the guy on the phone if she paid her bill, she couldn't pay her rent and if she could not pay her rent then where would he send her bill?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Iron Chef America, fish and beer
I love Iron Chef America, especially when Bobby Flay is cooking. He always seems to be having a good time. Just to make things clear, I love watching cooking shows but I don't like to cook much and frankly don't recognize most of what they are cooking. The secret ingredient seems to be fish every other week and frankly it looks pretty disgusting. I am admittedly fish illiterate although I've eaten grilled swordfish, salmon & grilled halibut and I like all of those. I think if I had to see them raw I'd probably change my mind.
I'm watching now and the secret ingredient is beer and they are making a lot of stuff with it...fish, of course, chicken, desserts, brats & slaw...I have not seen anything that looks good yet. I don't normally consider myself a picky eater but yuck.
Julie Chen is a guest chef and admits she's not a drinker and has tasted all of the beer and is a little drunk. It's actually pretty amusing.
Bobby Flay is serving really big shrimps with their heads on. Yuck.
I don't like beer much so I'd probably not make a good judge. Yuck.
I'm watching now and the secret ingredient is beer and they are making a lot of stuff with it...fish, of course, chicken, desserts, brats & slaw...I have not seen anything that looks good yet. I don't normally consider myself a picky eater but yuck.
Julie Chen is a guest chef and admits she's not a drinker and has tasted all of the beer and is a little drunk. It's actually pretty amusing.
Bobby Flay is serving really big shrimps with their heads on. Yuck.
I don't like beer much so I'd probably not make a good judge. Yuck.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I love Blue Bunny
Blue Bunny has sugar free ice cream that is to die for. They have several flavors, including Strawberry, Peanut Butter Fudge and my absolute favorite Caramel Turtle Sundae. When I think the world doesn't have anything good to offer, I eat a cone and life is right again. I'm just saying
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Chocolate Chex Caramel Crunch
We went this week to the Taste of Home Cooking Show and really enjoyed it. A home economist makes several dishes onstage while we follow along and enjoy watching. I do lead the exiting life, no doubt about it. They always give away all the food and a bunch of door prizes though I've been several times over the years and have never won anything. The big prizes this year were a dining room set from Dillards and a $2400 Electrolux stove. It looked extremely cool but sadly went home with someone else. Maybe next year...
But this sounded like the best recipe, which in my eyes is quick, easy and full of chocolate.
8 Cups of Chocolate Chex Cereal
3/4 Cup packed brown sugar
6 Tablespoons of butter
3 Tablespoons of light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vanilla or white chocolate chips
Place cereal in a large microwave safe bowl and set aside. Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
In a 2 cup microwave safe measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter & corn syrup high for 1 minute. Stir and mirowave 30-60 seconds longer, stir til blended. Stir in baking soda til disolved. Pour over cereal and stir til evenly coated.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stopping to stir every minute. Spread on baking sheet and cool 10 minutes. Break into pieces.
In a small microwave safe bowl, melt vanilla chips and stir til smooth. Drizzle over cereal mixture. Refrigerate til set and store in airtight container.
This is Billie: I'm thinking a some mixed nuts stirred into the cereal at the beginning sounds good and almond bark is cheaper and smoother and easier to work with for the drizzle. It can be quickly microwaved but it has to be watched because it does not appear to be melting so it needs to be stirred every 30 seconds or so. And I think this sounds darn yummy.
But this sounded like the best recipe, which in my eyes is quick, easy and full of chocolate.
8 Cups of Chocolate Chex Cereal
3/4 Cup packed brown sugar
6 Tablespoons of butter
3 Tablespoons of light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vanilla or white chocolate chips
Place cereal in a large microwave safe bowl and set aside. Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
In a 2 cup microwave safe measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter & corn syrup high for 1 minute. Stir and mirowave 30-60 seconds longer, stir til blended. Stir in baking soda til disolved. Pour over cereal and stir til evenly coated.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stopping to stir every minute. Spread on baking sheet and cool 10 minutes. Break into pieces.
In a small microwave safe bowl, melt vanilla chips and stir til smooth. Drizzle over cereal mixture. Refrigerate til set and store in airtight container.
This is Billie: I'm thinking a some mixed nuts stirred into the cereal at the beginning sounds good and almond bark is cheaper and smoother and easier to work with for the drizzle. It can be quickly microwaved but it has to be watched because it does not appear to be melting so it needs to be stirred every 30 seconds or so. And I think this sounds darn yummy.
Harrell- Crabtree Heisman Campaign
HARRELL-CRABTREE PASSORCATCH2008.COM
These are hysterical.
The University has set up with this website to promote Graham Harrell & Michael Crabtree for the Heisman. Both players are extremely talented and it would be great if one of them won. Tech gets no respect for our game, our record, our opponents or anything else frankly so it probably will not happen but I challange anyone else to come up with a campaign that's more fun.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
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