Salted Eggs with Pumpkin

Are we getting richer?'Tis a rather confusing question on some aspect .Decades ago my parents would never consider eating vegetables a higher

class diet than animal products. Meat was the most rarely seen food on dinner table that could only be discovered as an ingredient,if not the main ingredient,wrapped in dumplings during Spring Festival.Eggs,as well as dairy,were limited only to pregnant women.

Nowadays,however,our complaints o

n food supply grows even stronger. Especially with the mounting inflation. Price of food has already become a common topic among housewives.

To the contrary,we are no longer anxious of meat,what

makes us so anxious is the price of vegetables.Good vegetable is more expensive than meat and eggs,milk is the same price as mineral water.So I tend to admit that fast food store represents real food values on market--chicken is the cheapest.

My parents' dream of eating meat has come true.

Does that mean we are wealthier in front of our dishes? Not quite so. Because it's OK for our human to be a vegan,but we can't live without those

edible plants!

A healthy diet is always a luxury.

The other day I saw salted eggs on sale in a supe

rmarket:6 duck eggs for 3RMB,though cracked and probably not very fresh. Arriving home,I saw my mother forgot to use the squash which she bought specially for pumpkin congee for dinner. Naturally comes the idea of "Salted Egg wi

th Pumpkin".

"Salted Egg Yolk with Pumpkin"is renown for its deliciousness and simpleness. So do not follow my recipes which made this dish neither delicious nor health. For those responsible cookers,see the recommendation.

Salted Egg with Pumpkin(failure version)

Ingredients:

Pumpkin(I used squash): 300g its peel and seeds removed,cut into slices

6 Salted eggs: mashed

vegetable oil

Method:

heat the oil in a stir-fry pan,put in the pumpkin slices,cook until soften(edges begin to burn slightly),take out;

heat the remaining oil,put in the eggs,stir-fry until bubbles;

put in the cooked pumpkin,combine well.

Recommendations:

Use 3-4 salted egg yolks to 300g pumpkin, put in some cooking wine for smother taste;you can add a little salt if not salty enough.

For this particular dinner, my tricky squash dish goes perfectly well with my mother's tricky white congee. It's more or less going back to those old days which we were eating preserved vegetable. It was a pity. Well,time changes everything.

philosophy

This is my grandma. In this picture, you do not see a tunnel linking from her kidney to a plastic irine bag.

Thank you grandma, for finally taking that operation.

She said easily, cheerfully: “Now I don’t have to worry about finding a toilet when going anywhere.”

Were I in her shoes, I confess, I would not have that courage to keep living. But I may have to, like her.

If only standing on my own, death is the best solution to all my pain through living, and it cancels all my responsibilities, denies all my faults. Selfishly my own life is the heaviest burden I’m loath to carry.

Nevertheless I fear death. I fear the leaving of anyone who can help me, support me so I can shift my duty or punishment to a scapegoat. Selfishly how precious are their lives to me!

The purpose of life is not complex. We all live for those who love us. “I can’t live without you” is more than lyrics, is the real relationship among human spices.

The decision of survive is more or less the virtue of prudence?

Speaking of prudence, I remember my friend’s dairy.

When I was 25,I met a 30-year-old man. He said he found someone worth loving, and smiled to me.

I felt an umbrella over my head, I followed him when going out together, wearing what he considered fit, eating what he considered yummy…

But we didn’t last, he said there was something missing between us.

When I grew up to 29, I realise that I’ve always been looking for someone like him. Someone who is thoughtful, considerate and most importantly, has his own point of view.

I caught up with my 29, whereas fell behind his 30.

If only he could meet me of today…

He’s got his family…

I replied to her: you are fortunate than me.

When I was 14, I took all my father’s words as nonsense. I never ask for him until a rescue is beyond my capability. Then he comes: “Don’t worry, leave it to me.”

When I grew up to 24, His every prediction became true, including my regret.

I realise I’ve always for a wise man like him.

He is no longer giving me any guidance however I wish he would,

For me, there is no second one like him, never.

As for you, If there comes a 35, what would you do?

Silly thoughts

This is something I'll always remember:

As you know, the general election left no party able to command a majority in the House of Commons.

I said I would do all that I could to ensure a strong, stable and principled government was formed, able to tackle Britain's economic and political challenges effectively.

My constitutional duty is to make sure that a government can be formed following last Thursday's general election.

I have informed the Queen's private secretary that it is my intention to tender my resignation to the Queen.

In the event that the Queen accepts, I shall advise her to invite the leader of the Opposition to form a government.

I wish the next prime minister well as he makes the important choices for the future.

Only those that have held the office of prime minister can understand the full weight of its responsibilities and its great capacity for good.

I have been privileged to learn much about the very best in human nature and a fair amount too about its frailties, including my own.

Above all, it was a privilege to serve. And yes, I loved the job not for its prestige, its titles and its ceremony - which I do not love at all. No, I loved the job for its potential to make this country I love fairer, more tolerant, more green, more democratic, more prosperous and more just – truly a greater Britain.

In the face of many challenges in a few short years, challenges up to and including the global financial meltdown, I have always strived to serve, to do my best in the interest of Britain, its values and its people.

And let me add one thing also. I will always admire the courage I have seen in our armed forces.

And now that the political season is over, let me stress that having shaken their hands and looked into their eyes, our troops represent all that is best in out country and I will never forget all those who have died in honour and whose families today live in grief.

My resignation as leader of the Labour party will take effect immediately. And in this hour I want to thank all my colleagues, ministers, Members of Parliament. And I want to thank above all my staff, who have been friends as well as brilliant servants of the country.

Above all, I want to thank Sarah for her unwavering support as well as her love, and for her own service to our country.

I thank my sons John and Fraser for the love and joy they bring to our lives.

And as I leave the second most important job I could ever hold, I cherish even more the first – as a husband and father.

Thank you and goodbye.

I'm not qualified to give any comments.I'm not in any way related to UK,nor do I have know much about politics.

But it's true! Playing this again and again,my eyes began to swell.

I find it hard to explain my favour on Labour,certainly not merely a result from being a BBC listener.

Mr. Brown have done a good job,but he was coming at a bad time. Under such crisis,I can imagine,I may also want a change if I'm not satisfied with my current life,but I don't think any other politician can do better.

I'd better not say much,leave to to the British.It has nothing to do with me whoever sits in No.10.

Struggling to be back

My desktop on Mac Air

desktop picture taken by Quecksilber(myself)@Xi'an Botanical Garden

It's so nice to see these vivid colours,familiar layout from which I've been banned for years.I'm still behind this firewall set by our dear government.My proxy account is not yet stable. For instance,I can launch YouTube but cannot play a video;on a particular site,some of the buttons on the page don't work,and the broken links change when reload,or I get an error page after refreshing. This is why it took me hours to sign up on twitter:"create account"didn't work!

As for surfing,apart from the speed and instability of my connection,what is most painful to me is I couldn't see the pictures,especially those beautiful ones taken by individuals. They are replaced by a question mark!

All I should be grateful for is:I'm able to type some new words here.

'Tis a start... Hopefully it's not illegal:)

Being an ordinary user and an ordinary Chinese who is no insider of internet affairs.My view of this censorship is"a big joke",if not too extreme;waste of money,waste of energy,waste of time;and provides another handle for the hostile western world.

At least it's useless.GFW bans foreign communication sites and Taiwan sites.Is there any benefit for our people?This method is somewhat the style of 1970's. Blocking the nation from innovative tech and ideas. Its initial purpose,to prevent people from something they don't want to be seen?I say,the majority don't feel troubled by this GFW,or even don't know what Internet censorship is. They won't notice any"negative information"whether there's censor or not. For those ambitious activists,GFW still don't work because it's too easy to break! Moreover,what it bans is something we need to know. Isn't it a government's duty to help its residents recognise how the nation stands in the entire world?

In the interior,the censors made a long list of "sensitive words". Of cause,the content is kept secret. That is to say,for example,if I type Jiang Zemin on Google and press enter,then I'm unable to reconnect Google within 5 minutes or so. The banned words are more of a fun topic to net users. When someone discover a banned word or phrase,he announces it as a joke. Rumors behind this word spread even more popular.

I'm not complaining,nor am I unsatisfied with anything. It's China. No politics is perfect. We can only pick the better. Honestly speaking,there's no big human rights problem to the Chinese people. The western world is taking things on their culture,that make sense,to us,is a bigger joke!

Voyage à Pékin

For some people,including me,composing is a tough task.From my days in primary school composition has been the most annoying work.And from then I know that I can never be a writer.

Since writing is not my cup of tea,I can now explain why not blogging despite that something worth to write about happened during the past 1 week.There's a funny logic:when an event passed and I'm too lazy to record,this is perhaps a small problem of forgetting it day by day,and when more passed,the problem glows bigger.However,I still can make it none-problem by not writing at all.:)

So let's begin with what happened earlier.

Last Sunday I went to BIEC for automobile.I'm not a big fan for autos but speaking of cars,especially the luxury type,everyone is kind of craving,isn't it?

I don't want to say much about this exhibition because I don't know what to say,either about the exhibition hall or the cars.Actually I only saw half of the exhibition that day,one is because my camera ran of out battery when I reached to Benz hall,nevertheless I soon realised that I should feel grateful for this--another reason is:it were too crowded,in the east part of the centre,where there are luxury brands like Rolls-Royce,Falari,etc.,it was impossible to have a look at the exhibits through the crowds.Although I've been warned of it on my way getting there,thanks to my mother who asked to turn on the radio during the driving.It was repeatedly announced that there were a big traffic jam on the highway that directly lead to BIHC,the police had opened the side way free to lighten the pressure.So we were lucky,until we got to the parking lot.I never saw such a parking lot.It was not a place designed for the parking lot,it was just a raw ground under construction.And it was huge,of course,on problem for tens of thousands.When we got there,I bet there were already several thousand,and it was only the situation of No.2 Park,and when we got here for return,the number of vehicles was obviously much bigger!

Oh,there's a big point I haven't mentioned--models.While I dislike the idea of arranging a beauty by a vehicle(I'd consider the 2 don't match),it is a good idea to bring your exhibit much more audience(and that was why this was used by some cheaper cars?),and I did feel my eyes lighten by this Cadillac.Ha ha,these do match!Oops,I kind of understand,auto fans are mostly male so...

For more pictures please visit http://www.dianping.com/shop/2465548/photos/73161

Nestle's new mate

Has any of you ever tried this?If so,who can tell me what the resulting taste should be like if used properly?Umm...maybe I should go to Starbucks some day for a "nutty sweetness of hazelnut" experience(a description written on the package of hazelnut flavor).

I loved the idea when I first saw this new product in BHG Market Place.I'm not a big fan of coffee,which is still a bit luxury for me on the aspects of both hardware and software.But that is part of my motivation to take these boxes home.I'd grasp every in-café chance to enjoy freshly brewed coffee and has always been wondering what is behind the other terms on menu.I've got a brewer,and this elicits another part--Mon has just brought some coffee home.

I did hesitated in front of the shelf.You see,the original coffee mate has such packaging,too.20 individual bags in 1 box for 6RMB.Whereas this flavored mate is at 15RMB/8 individual bags.Bien sûr,soon I realise it might be cheaper than a sum of original mate,sugar and vanilla powder.

There isn't any instruction for the proper ratio apart from "to taste".I've got a Nestle mug and a Nestle golden spoon so I thought 1 bag mate goes with 1 mug coffee made from 1 spoon coffee powder,Thus my experiment reveals how instant coffee lacks of flavor because I couldn't taste much difference after adding 1 bag "caramel macchiato".At least no sweeter.It couldn't be like this!Alright my coffee may be too dense.So I poured out a half and refilled with water and add another bag.Mon Dieu!My caramel macchiato is more bitter than Starbuck's Americano,if not smoother.Is there really some sugar in it as written on the package?As mother said it's fine I came out with another idea---to dissolve the white powder in milk.

Haha,there were finally some change to the taste of the milk.Unfortunately,it was not sweet but a taste of flavoring that may disgust you if you had too much.What's worse,I felt neither caramel for the "caramel macchiato" nor that "nutty sweet" for "hazelnut".If it hadn't been myself who tear up the package,I would have judged them as original coffee mate.

I guess the liquid mate shall be better ,will that be put into Chinese market?

Whom are we hating?

So China Telecom has reopened Blogger?How strange!

I've lost the interest of blogging.It's not my fault.Before Blogger,I've had 2 other blog hosts banned without an announcement.What they permitted me to build on---Chinese servers are not as stable!If the article I spend hours typing tonight vanishes after on night's sleep,I'd rather not type it than save the same words on different servers.I'm not canvassing anyway,even now I really wish I had the power of a candidate for US President to convincethe world.

During these years I've been frequently told that Olympics can bring prosperity to its host,both financially and politically.But now I doubt if it works for China.It is a trigger,not for success,but for war.

It doesn't hurt much when it was again and again reported that the government took millions on various construction.We are not wasting money if the effort is not misunderstood.Although I totally agree that the Olympics has lost its original meaning,it has come a machine d'argent,I'm still shocked at the westerners' saying that Olympics is China's politic gimmick.

They can blame China.In fact,I know my homeland is being blamed for almost everything from human rights to pollution to price-rising,or even global-warming.Being a Chinese I don't want to blame anyone,for the censure itself is a tragedy.

But I do have to explain,China has all of these faults,so do any other country in this world.Human rights problem is but an excuse,the root is we treat each other as an enemy,the protest is an exposition of west world's fear of China's growing up.Media speaks for its governor,just thinking of a debate you'll know to what a extent the same news can be contorted to conflicts.
On the pther hand,that the snowball can grow so big and so fast reflects that China's development is solid and this nation's contributionto the whole world must to be reckened with.Be it North Korea,people may standing on the side seeing to as a joke.
Boycott is not a solution.It's somewhat ridiculous to read some columnists persuading people from boycotts right after their seditious comment causing the problem.There's a "boycott wave" between the east and west.Well I believe politics serves for economy,that's why exportation and importation are banned between certain countries.But to arise a boycott is against our initial idea of global trading and the cost must be on both side,smart westerners should be aware that inflation is sure to take place if they try to refuse Chinese product.
Anyway,I'm not saying supporting national brands is not important,nor am I trying to encourage anyone shopping in Carrefour on May,1.But I have to say,the French are better business men.You may say that the goods in Carrefour are cheaper merely because foreign investors don't pay much tax,then why Wal-Mart is so expensive?And another French retailer Auchan,is even cheaper!I find everything is at its lowest original price in Auchan---- where I go when desiring a particular item instead of slacking around for undemanding bargains.
For the most of the time,we just want to live simple.We are so sensitive about human rights because we do not yet feel free enough,equal enough.No matter how unsatisfied you are at another's idea or behavior that has little relation with yourself,as long as he's happy and you're happy,who's to blame?