The Funny Thing About Poetry

In my Poetry and Drama class, my professor asked us to read "Nantucket" by William Carlos Williams. The poem goes like this:

"NANTUCKET" by W.C. Williams

Flowers through the window

lavender and yellow

changed by white curtains-

Smell of cleanliness-

Sunshine of late afternoon-

On the glass tray.

a glass pitcher, the tumbler

turned down, by which

a key is lying-and the

immaculate white bed.

We then started suggesting possible interpretations of the poem, saying that the images in the poem represent possibilities, new beginnings, escape, refuge, etc. We spent two whole hours discussing what we thought the poem means. 

Later that day, my classmates and I were required to attend a master lecture on the importance of imagery and statement in poetry. There, in the class, the speaker recited a poem by W.C. Williams and said that Williams believed that poems shouldn't have deep images and that they should simply capture the visuals of an object or a moment in life. So many of his poems, like "Nantucket", were full of images which, to W.C. Williams, didn't represent anything. At this point, my professor, who was seated in front of us, turned around and smiled at us. 

That's the funny thing about poetry. Everyone thinks that poets always write about deep truths and heavy emotions and that poems are always full of symbols, so they always go crazy looking for a meaningful interpretation. What people forget about, the speaker said, is that sometimes the poet writes a poem simply because he or she feels like writing it.

The speaker, however, said that W.C. Williams poems don't have meaning just because he (the poet) didn't intend to put any in them. Meaning and interpretation in poetry, and in the rest of literature, depends on the reader because reading is a personal experience. So while the poem doesn't mean much to W.C. Williams, it can mean something to his readers. So remember that when you're reading poetry.

That was just a silly anecdote I wanted to share. With university being what it is, all of my anecdotes nowadays are school-based.

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

"THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS" by W.B. Yeats

Here is another poem we discussed in Literature 14: Poetry and Drama. It's a beautiful poem by the Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet William Butler Yeats when he was obsessed with occultism and Irish legends.

"THE SONG OF WANDERING AENGUS" by William Butler Yeats


I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut an peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
and moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.

When I laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire aflame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And some one called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering
Through hallow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.

A Wednesday of Life Lessons

Hey, everyone!

I'm sorry for being M.I.A. again. I'll try my best to post at least once a week but with the Christmas break coming up though, I'm sure my professors will try to squeeze in as much work as possible. :(

Last Wednesday, two professors gave very inspiring and enlightening lectures about the same thing: living life.   The first of the two professors was my Literature 14: Poetry and Drama professor. He started the lesson by discussing the poem "When Spring Returns" by Fernando Pessoa. Here is a copy of the poem for those who have not read it yet:

"WHEN SPRING RETURNS" by Fernando Pessoa

When Spring returns
Perhaps I will no longer be in the world.
Today I wish I could think of Spring as a person
So that I could imagine her crying for me
When she sees that she's lost her only friend.
But Spring isn't even a thing;
It's a manner of speaking.
Not even the flowers or green leaves return.
There are new flowers, new green leaves.
There are new balmy days.
Nothing returns, nothing repeats, because everything is real.

A wonderful but sad poem, isn't it? My professor stated that the speaker is a morose and forlorn person who is probably dying from a terminal illness. His (the speaker) confrontation with mortality is a lonely and diminishing one. In the beginning of the poem, the speaker has a negative perception of spring. However, in the 6th and 7th line of the poem, the speaker has a poetic epiphany wherein spring, to him, is no longer a measure of time (a season) and is now a state of mind. by the end of the poem, the speaker's tone goes from lonely, hopeless, and sombre  to enlightened and accepting of his inexorable death.

My professor followed up this discussion on the speaker's change in his perception of spring by saying, "When we change our perspective, the world changes and renews itself in our eyes."* He then explained that when we focus on the "darker" side of our mortality, the beauty of life and the world is lost on us. He used this to segue into a discussion on about time and living in the present. He said that he wanted to avoid using the phrase "Carpe Diem" in order to avoid comparisons with Robin Williams's character in Dead Poet's Society. Instead, he said, "Time is not yesterday or tomorrow. Time is now. The only certainty we have is the here and the now."*

He explained that the past is uncertain because our feelings and perception of what happened to us in the past changes as we grow and mature. The future is uncertain because, even if we make plans, we are never fully certain of what will happen to us. The only certainty is now. 

Our professor ended the discussion by encouraging us to use the fact that we will die as a reason to live life to the fullest, rather than moan about it the way the speaker did in the first five lines of the poem.

The second professor to have a discussion along these lines was another member of the school's English department. This time, he used the video game series Assassin's Creed as the springboard of the discussion. Knowing that I am a fan of the video game, he asked me what one of the major themes of the series is. I replied by saying, "Nothing is true. Everything is permitted."

He wrote this down on the board and said that he would get back to that quote. He then started discussing absurdism, wherein life and human existence are thought of as empty and meaningless. My professor, however, said that "life is empty and meaningless not because it is sad and pointless. It is empty and meaningless because it's an empty slate that we can fill up."*

What we fill it up with, he explained, is what will give our lives meaning, but it is up to us if it will be good or bad. We are allowed to do want we want with our lives. This is where the quote from Assassin's Creed comes in. The creed is not calling us to be lawless and totally free, but to be wise.

I hope that I will always be able to remember what my professors said. These are things we are constantly reminded about but easily forget.

Well, here's to the gift of life!

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

THE CASUAL VACANCY by JK Rowling

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been a fan of JK Rowling and the Harry Potter Series. Of course, when I heard that she was about to publish a new book, I was very excited. It interested me even more to hear that the book would have nothing to do with magic. 

With that excitement, however, came the realization that I would have to put all thoughts of the magical world of Harry Potter out of my head while reading this book. The Casual Vacancy was about a totally new set of people and a completely different place. A normal place filled with normal people.

Or so I thought. 

The Casual Vacancy is set in the small and suburban town of Pagford. Despite the seemingly sleepy appearance of this West Country town, Pagford's residents are all at silent, personal wars with each other. The two main wars in the town are of a political nature. The first war, a long-fought battle of divided local sentiment, is being fought over the possibility of disassociating the town from "The  Fields", a nearby local estate which is mostly filled with what the old Pagford families refer to as "good-for-nothings". The second war is being fought over a seat on the Parish Council, the town's local government, which was left empty after the death of Parish Councillor Barry Fairbrother, a well-loved member of the community who championed the cause to keep the the Fields with Pagford. 

The set of characters present in JK Rowling's newest book range from reckless young children to restless adults. These characters, like the depressed and socially awkward Sukhvinder Jawanda, the idealistic newcomer Kay Bawden, the  self-absorbed leader of the Parish Council Howard Mollison whose head size is matched only be that of his stomach, and the outspoken and misunderstood Krystal Weedon, are the crowning glory of the novel. All of JK Rowling's characters are extremely well-developed, vividly distinct, wonderfully human, and deliciously flawed. I found myself either relating very well to the feelings of many characters or thinking that I knew someone who was exactly like the characters being described. 

The book does not have a fast-paced, action-packed plot. Rather, it has a character-driven plot made up of interconnected story arcs which concern the different residents of the town. This makes the book's plot as a whole progress slowly, yet it highlights how the characters and their decisions affect one another, whether they intended to or not. I have two main comments regarding the plot: (1) there were chapters which I felt were not needed to further the story along, but were very useful in developing the characters and (2) not all of the noticeable conflicts were resolved in the end. 

I loved JK Rowling's writing style: simple and unpretentious yet witty and flowing. The novel itself is intelligent and insightful, talking about issues like politics, drugs, sex, poverty, prostitution, and social class, without being preachy. 

Overall, I thought it was a good book. It had its flaws here and there, mostly with the plot, but it was still an enjoyable read. You will only enjoy the book, however, if you do not compare it to Harry Potter. Under a completely different genre, The Casual Vacancy is its own book. 

"The Destruction of Sennacherib" by George Gordon, Lord Byron

As much as I love reading poetry, I have to admit that I am not well-versed in the works of George Gordon, better known by his title, Lord Byron. I read one of his poems for the very first time in my Introduction to Poetry and Drama class last week, and I absolutely loved it. Here's a copy of his wonderfully written piece about how an Assyrian king and his grand army were defeated.

The Destruction of Sennacherib

By George Gordon, Lord Byron

              The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,

              And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;

              And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,

              When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.

              Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,

              That host with their banners at sunset were seen:

              Like the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown,

              That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.

              For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,

             And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;

             And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill,

             And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!

             And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,

             But through it there rolled not the breath of his pride;

             And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,

             And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.

           

    And there lay the rider distorted and pale,

             With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail:

             And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,

             The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.

             And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,

             And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;

             And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,

             Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!

For my fellow Byron first-timers, I hope you enjoyed the poem as much as I did!

Until Always, 

Lemonjuicesodapop

BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD by Judd Winick

Hi, everyone! I am so sorry for being a no-show for the past two weeks. With academic work being what it is, posting on time has become quite difficult. My class hours today, however, were cut short by the university because of a faculty awarding ceremony scheduled later this afternoon. Also, there is no homework due tomorrow, so I'm free for the rest of the day!

Batman: Under the Red Hood by Judd Winick
Art by Doug Mahnke, Shane Davis, Eric Battle, and Paul Lee

Last week, I read Batman: Under the Red Hood, the story about how a new masked figure, using the name "Red Hood", appears in Gotham City. A one-man army, he takes on the criminal empire of the Black Mask, who is the city's crime lord. Of course, his actions catch the attention of Batman, who senses that there is something more underneath the red helmet.

I love how this story arc portrays the emotional struggle of Batman. Sometimes, I feel that people, both the writers and the audience, forget that the psychological and emotional struggles are what make Batman the kind of superhero that he is. Of course, there is a lot of the exciting, action-packed fight sequences with the stunning acrobatics, martial arts, and gadgets that Batman has at hand.

The art was done in the usual style of Batman comics: gritty and dark yet eye-catching. The fight sequences, which always take the cake in a graphic novel, were riveting and dynamic.

I know that in terms of comic continuity, I am very late in reading this graphic novel. It is a very important story arc for the story of Batman and the Bat Family. So, if you are a Batman fan and you haven't read this graphic novel yet, I suggest that you pick up a copy soon. 

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

"Wasabi" by Andrea Gibson

 Spoken-word has always been an interesting form of poetry. People do not hold many poetry slams where I live, so the internet serves as my source of spoken-word poetry.

Here is a spoken-word poem entitled "Wasabi", written and performed by Andrea Gibson, which I found on tumblr. It is a beautifully written and performed piece!

“Wasabi” by Andrea Gibson

The plan was to play hard to get, that’s right.

I wasn’t just gonna go giving myself away, I’m no easy catch.

Can you really see me in fishnets? No.

I always find myself slipping out the holes,

swimming back out to sea.

I’d never been anybody’s sushi roll.

But she has lips like wasabi.

My eyes water every time we kiss.

Makes me wish we had a porch swing

and a little home

Makes me wish I could right wrongs

instead of poems

The heart is a bullet that’s terrified of blood

Love is a windshield wiper in a hurricane;

Nothing is ever clear

You mistake her name for the moon

Mistake porch lights for the stars

And sometimes they are.

Her constellations lead me home

Ten thousand shades of open

And if there’s one thing in this world

I’ve ever known for sure it’s that this girl

is gonna crush me like a small bug,

leave me so freaking broken there’ll

be body bags beneath my eyes

from nights I cried so hard the stars died

but I’m like, go ahead, I’m all yours.

I would kiss you in the middle of the ocean during a lightning storm

cause I’d rather be left for dead than left to wonder 

what thunder sounds like.

I’m not looking for someone who can save me

Liferafts might keep you afloat but they rarely get you anywhere 

and I’ve got places I want to go. 

So break me in two, peel back my ribcage and 

cover every page of my heart with love poems 

that you will burn someday.

The most fertile lands were built by the hands of volcanoes

And I want to know what grows beneath the drone of

hallmark and roses.

I want your goodbye to feel like explosives.

Your lips a burning building without fire escapes,

Your hips the gates of hell if I know if heaven exists,

but this will do just fine.

And I want to feel you like lifelines on the palms of Jesus 

when the nails went through

Is that really, really creepy?

Just in case it is, let me also say that I want you

sleepy-eyed in the morning waking at my side

like a warm summer sky born from

so much softness the horizon cries every time

night fall comes to take you.

Let me also say that I want to make you sandwiches and soup,

and peanut butter cookies—though, the truth is,

peanut butter is actually really bad for you ‘cause they

grow peanuts in old cotton fields to clean the toxins out 

of the soil—but hey, 

you like peanut butter and I like you.

Let me also say I’ve never seen anything more gorgeous 

than you were that night,

the moon bending through the window blinds

I told time by the light casting shadows across your face

while you told me the story. 

My grandparents were married for 63 years.

On the day my grandfather died, he laid in bed and said

Nothing but love love love love 

then he puckered his lips and kissed my 

grandmother for the last time.

Love love love

Love is like sunshine. Sometimes you have to get burned

to know you were there, I want to know that I’m here.

Every single part of me—my heart open as

the river’s eyes the first time it sees the ocean.

My God, look at those waves.

Listen to that thundering tide.

Can you imagine anything more frightening?

Can you imagine anything more alive?

I hope you guys enjoyed this poem as much as I did!

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

Memorable Monday

Like every student, I hate Mondays. In all honesty, who doesn't? Mondays signal the end of the brief taste of freedom we get on weekends and the beginning of a grueling week of all work and no play. 

November 5, 2012, however, proved to be a unique Monday experience. In school, my Monday mornings begin with back-to-back classes of Expository Writing and Poetry & Drama under a wonderfully witty (and many times bitingly sarcastic) professor who allows us to have dress-up days in class. Dress-up day themes range from banal, like sporty chic or animal prints, to insane, like mismatched clothes or swimwear. On the day in question, which was the first Monday after Halloween, the theme was Halloween-Hangover, so we all went to class wearing Halloween costumes. Popular costume choices included Phantom of the Opera, James Bond, Clark Kent, Rachel Berry, guerrilla soldier, hippie stoner (or at least what I think was a hippie stoner), and my professor (complete with a floral print shirt and an umbrella with a handle shaped like the butt of a rifle). 

Originally, I planned to go as stereotypical beatnik by wearing a black turtleneck sweater, black leggings, black shoes, a black beret, and dark glasses. Unfortunately, the cooling system in the classroom wasn't functioning so I had to make do with a last minute costume change. I swapped the sweater for a white tank top and a sporty cardigan and the black leggings for skinny jeans. From a beatnik, I became a female One Direction wannabe. I didn't mind at all since that costume was much more comfortable than the first one and I like listening to One Direction. 

Instead of changing out of our themed apparel after the two classes, as we usually do on dress-up days with funny themes, my classmates and I walked straight to the university's cafeteria for everyone to see. After our short costume parade, we sat at our usual table by the windows and proceeded to talk, laugh, and eat as usual. 

The next notable thing happened in my Introduction to Physics class. My professor, who they call "Magic Mike" for reasons totally unrelated to the Channing Tatum movie, said something which made the whole class laugh: "There are no stupid questions, but there may be stupid answers." Honestly, I don't know why we found it so funny. Maybe it's because we are all guilty of giving stupid answers in class. 

After that class, we had an hour's break before the next class, which was Physics Laboratory. One of my newly-met classmates, who was celebrating his birthday, invited me to his birthday lunch being held in a pizza parlor off-campus. With the other invitees, we went to the pizza parlor, where we wolfed down three pizzas and washed it down with three pitchers of soda. When we finished eating, we realized that we had only ten minutes to get to the Physics lab. So we rushed out of the pizza parlor and ran back to school. I do not know how we did it, but we somehow made it to the door of the laboratory the instant that the bell began to ring. Talk about close calls, huh? 

That sums up all of the notable events of that strange Monday. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll be able to have more memorable Mondays. I hope you guys had a good Monday too.

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

Greeka Kouzina: The Return Trip

I gladly returned to my new favorite Greek restaurant, Greeka Kouzina, with my mother, my father, my three brothers, and my grandmother, who can be a bit fastidious when it comes to food. Of course, I was eager to hear my grandmother's opinion of the restaurant.

For appetizers we ordered Melitzanosalata, which was as tasty as ever, and Hummus, which was excellent! The chickpea dip was creamy and delicious without being too oily or cloying. The pita bread was soft, warm, and light. Sadly, I wasn't able to take a snapshot of the Hummus before the rest of my family attacked it.

Watercress Blue Cheese Salad

Next, we ordered the Watercress Blue Cheese Salad. A tall pile of watercress was resting on a bed of lettuce and decorated with crumbly blue cheese, walnuts, and salad dressing. The greens of this salad were wonderfully crisp and fresh, while the dressing was a perfectly balanced mix of sweet and tart. The blue cheese gave the salad a nice and salty flavor while the walnuts lent the salad a good crunch.

Spanakopita

The next vegetable dish we ordered was Spanakopita. The thin, crispy layers of filo pastries were bursting with the delicious spinach filling. I loved this dish so much that I would have eaten the whole thing if I didn't have to share it.

Beef souvlaki

The first meat dish we ordered was the beef souvlaki, which was made of tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned pieces of roasted beef which were skewered with pieces of onions, green bell peppers, and tomatoes. The lemon juice and tzatziki (a blend of yogurt and cucumbers) added a refreshing zest to the dish.

Spanakorizo

The side dish that we ordered with the souvlaki was the spanakorizo, a dish of rice, spinach, dill, onions, and feta cheese. The dish was surprisingly delicious, especially with sprinkled lemon juice. My only comment was that the rice was a bit too dry for my taste.

Arni Lemonata

The next meat dish we ordered was Arni Lemonata, roasted lamb with lemon juice. The lamb was so juicy and tender that it was practically falling off the bone! The perfectly seasoned meat was scrumptious with or without avgolemono, the egg and lemon sauce which come with the roast lamb.

Lamb Paidakia (lamb chops)

hThe second meat dish we ordered was Lamb Paidakia, roasted lamb chops. Like the Arni Lemonata, the meat was tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned, and tasty down to the bone. A truly flavorsome treat!

Arni Keftedes Pasta

The side dish we ordered with the Lamb Paidakia was the Arni Keftedes Pasta, a cheese pasta dish with lamb meatballs. This was the only dish which, in my opinion, was disappointing. The cheese sauce and the meatballs were bland. This is a dish which I will never order again.

Milopita

Our first dessert was Milopita, Greek apple pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was a delightful dessert, especially for someone with a sweet tooth as large as mine. The apple filling was well-spiced and the slice was warm and sweet, while the vanilla ice cream was a no-fail palate-cleanser.

Baklava  topped with Greek Yogurt

For our second dessert, we ordered Baklava, a classic Greek dessert of filo pastry and a nut-and-honey filling. Like the Spanakopita, the filo pastry was bursting with filling. The Baklava was well-spiced and not too sweet, a the Greek yogurt added a nice touch to the treat. It is not a craving-inducing dessert, but it is definitely an enjoyable meal-ender. 

My entire family, especially my grandmother, loved the food. She even ordered food to-go! I think it's safe to say that we'll be opening the Greeka Kouzina menu again soon. If you love Greek food too, you'll definitely want to swing by soon.

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

New Blog Title: The Lawless Love of a Gypsy Child

I realized that the title "Mindful Musings" is nothing if not unoriginal, so I decided to replace it with another title which, come to think of it, is just slightly less unoriginal as the first one. I got the title "The Lawless Love of a Gypsy Child" from one of the arias in Georges Bizet's Carmen, a French opera set in Spain about the love affair between a beautiful gypsy girl and a Spanish soldier.

In the first of four acts, Carmen sings "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" ("Love is a rebellious bird"), an aria in habanera form. In the aria, two lines, when translated into English, say that "love is a gypsy's child, it has never known the law." I was very taken by those lyrics and decided to base the blog's new title on them.

If you would like to hear the aria, I have attached a video of it from youtube. Props to Anna Caterina Antonacci and her amazing voice. Enjoy!

All lyrics in parentheses are sung by Choir

French

Translation in English

(spoken intro) Quand je vous aimerai? Ma foi, je ne sais pas, Peut-être jamais, peut-être demain. Mais pas aujourd'hui, c'est certain (sung) L'amour est un oiseau rebelle que nul ne peut apprivoiser, et c'est bien en vain qu'on l'appelle, s'il lui convient de refuser. Rien n'y fait, menace ou prière, l'un parle bien, l'autre se tait: Et c'est l'autre que je préfère, Il n'a rien dit mais il me plaît. L'amour! L'amour! L'amour! L'amour! Carmen: L'amour est enfant de Bohême, il n'a jamais, jamais connu de loi; si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime si je t'aime, prends garde à toi! (Prends garde à toi!) Si tu ne m’aimes pas, Si tu ne m’aimes pas, je t’aime! (Prends garde à toi!) Mais, si je t’aime, Si je t’aime, prends garde à toi! L'oiseau que tu croyais surprendre battit de l'aile et s'envola ... l'amour est loin, tu peux l'attendre; tu ne l'attends plus, il est là! Tout autour de toi, vite, vite, il vient, s'en va, puis il revient ... tu crois le tenir, il t'évite, tu crois l'éviter, il te tient. L'amour! L'amour! L'amour! L'amour! Carmen: L'amour est enfant de Bohême, il n'a jamais, jamais connu de loi; si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime si je t'aime, prends garde à toi! (Prends garde à toi!) Si tu ne m’aimes pas, Si tu ne m’aimes pas, je t’aime! (Prends garde à toi!) Mais, si je t’aime, Si je t’aime, prends garde à toi! Choir: L'amour est enfant de Bohême, il n'a jamais, jamais connu de loi; si tu ne m'aimes pas, je t'aime si je t'aime, prends garde à toi! (Prends garde à toi!) Carmen: Si tu ne m’aimes pas, Si tu ne m’aimes pas, je t’aime! (Prends garde à toi!) Mais, si je t’aime, Si je t’aime, prends garde à toi!

(spoken intro) When will I love you? Good Lord, I don't know, Maybe never, maybe tomorrow. But not today, that's for sure. (sung) Love is a rebellious bird that nobody can tame, and you can call him (although it is) quite in vain, because it suits him not to come. Nothing helps, neither threat nor prayer. One man talks well, the other, silent; but it's the other that I prefer. He says nothing, but he pleases me. Oh, love! Love! Love! Love! Carmen: Love is a gypsy's child, it has never known the law; if you love me not, then I love you; if I love you, you'd best beware! (You'd best beware!) if you love me not, if you love me not, then I love you (You'd best beware!) but if I love you, if I love you, you'd best beware! The bird you hoped to catch beat its wings and flew away ... love stays away, you wait and wait; when least expected, there it is! All around you, swift, swift, it comes, goes, then it returns ... you think you hold it fast, it flees you think you're free, it holds you fast. Oh, love! Love! Love! Love! Carmen: Love is a gypsy's child, it has never known the law; if you love me not, then I love you; if I love you, you'd best beware! (You'd best beware!) if you love me not, if you love me not, then I love you (You'd best beware!) but if I love you, if I love you, you'd best beware! Choir:Love is a gypsy's child, it has never known the law; if you love me not, then I love you; if I love you, you'd best beware! (You'd best beware!) Carmen: if you love me not, if you love me not, then I love you (You'd best beware!) but if I love you, if I love you, you'd best beware!

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

Wooden Spoon

Last Sunday, I visited another restaurant with my two favorite eating buddies: my mother and my brother. This restaurant is named Wooden Spoon, a Filipino restaurant near the university. It is run by a chef who owned a similar restaurant while living in Paris. After his restaurant in the City of Lights shut down, the chef left Paris and decided to open a restaurant here.

Crab pancit (noodles)

I was eager to eat in Wooden Spoon after hearing many wonderful things about it from my friends in the university. The first thing my mother, brother, and I ordered was the Crab Pancit. In Filipino cuisine, the word pancit refers to noodles and/or noodle dishes. This dish was made up of a rich, creamy concoction of crab and egg which topped a mound of friend noodles. Despite its pale coloring, this dish was quite tasty. The only problem I had with this dish was that it was too oily. 

Wooden Spoon Fried Chicken

While perusing the menu, my mother suggested that we order the Wooden Spoon fried chicken, saying that the chef must be proud of this dish if he named after the restaurant itself. The dish, however, was disappointing. The marinade's flavor was weak and the taste did not permeate to the chicken itself. Rather, it stayed on the breading.

Stuffed pechay (Chinese cabbage)

Next, we ordered pechay (Chinese cabbage) stuffed with smoked fish and ground pork and covered with a mildly spicy sauce made of coconut milk. Flavorful and savory, this was a surprising dish, though I did find the stuffing and the sauce too salty. 

Pan grilled tuna belly with soy sauce,  bagoong (shrimp paste), and an eggplant salad

My brother, being a lover of anything that has tuna fish in it, ordered the pan grilled tuna belly. This order came with, soy sauce (for the fish), bagoong (Filipino shrimp paste), and a salad made up off chopped tomatoes, red onions, green mango, salted egg, and eggplant. The salad itself was tasty and fresh, but I ate it without the shrimp paste. The tuna belly was a bit dry and definitely needed to be eaten with the soy sauce. 

Reyna Blanca

As usual, the three of us decided to order dessert in two parts. The first was Reyna Blanca (which, when translated literally, means "White Queen"), a dish of coconut custard topped with rice puffs. The custard was refreshing, mild, and creamy while the rice puffs gave it a little crunch. This was a real treat. 

Sago cake with covered in palm sugar syrup and rice puffs

The second dessert was sago cake, which was made off sago pearls and sweetened with palm sugar syrup while being topped with rice puffs. The cake itself was nice and sticky while syrup gave it the right amount of sweetness. Like with the Reyna Blanca, the rice puffs added variety to the texture of the soft and sticky cake by giving it an added crunch.

Overall, I found Wooden Spoon to be disappointing. I had expected more out of the restaurant since many people were raving about it. With the exception of the desserts, which were my favorite parts of the meal, the food was neither terrible nor special. In other words, the food was just edible. I highly doubt a return trip to that restaurant any time soon.

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

BATGIRL, VOLUME ONE: THE DARKEST REFLECTION by Gail Simone, Adrian Syaf, and Vicente Ciffuentes

Barbara Gordon was always my favorite DC character. Her transformation from Batgirl to the Oracle was nothing short of inspiring, but as much as I loved her as the Oracle, she is, in my mind, forever Batgirl. Yes, her successors, Cassandra and Stephanie, were impressive as well, but Barbara really takes the cake as DC's number one girl. In my opinion, at least.

Gail Simone's tale of her return as Gotham's female Knight was extremely well-written, albeit flawed. Barbara's fight with the first villain, Mirror, showcased her intelligence, perseverance, and her determination. Her struggles to heal emotionally and psychologically after her physical recovery was well portrayed. The second story, however, was hastily done and less exciting than the first. In fact, the second story was a bit disappointing.

The art was spectacular. The fight panels were engaging and dynamic, while the stunt panels were absolutely stunning. Some of the illustrations just seemed to leap off the page.

Overall, I give this graphic novel a 3 out of 5 stars. Of course, this is only the first volume. I bet it'll get better from here. 

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE: A GAME OF THRONES by George R.R. Martin

There are two things I love about rainy days. One, it makes the otherwise hot weather cool. Two, it gives me an excuse to stay snuggled up in bed and read, and what better rainy-day read is there than the 800-page novel that you've had to wait ages to read? That, for me, is George R.R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, the first in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

I was first introduced to the book series by my older brother, who is a fan of the HBO miniseries. Like all bookworms, I wanted to read the book first. Sadly, there was an ongoing war at home over who gets to read the book first. Out of the six of us in the family, I am the third to read this.

When it comes to literature, I devour fantasy novels. I love reading about magic, new worlds, epic battles, strange creatures, and all that jazz. Luckily, A Game of Thrones has all that.

Needless to say, I enjoyed reading this book immensely. The story is definitely action-packed. The range of characters is very diverse and the book has the right amount medieval other-worldliness to be a complete nerd explosion.

The book is told from the third person limited point-of-view of eight major characters: Eddard "Ned" Stark, his wife Catelyn Stark, their daughters Sansa and Arya, their son Bran, Ned's illegitimate son Jon, the queen's brother Tyrion Lannister, and the princess-in-hiding Daenerys Targaryen. This method of narration allowed for a full telling of the story, which was needed considering the interdependence of the different characters's story lines, but led to the occasional muddling and dragging of certain parts of the book. There were also some parts of the different character story lines that I felt the book, in its entirety, could have done without, and I'm not just talking about the sex.

The different character stories make the plot very intricate, but not without a price. Some of the characters's stories were better and more interesting than that of the other characters. For example, I definitely enjoyed reading about Jon and Daenerys more than about Catelyn and Sansa. On the positive note, it was very interesting to see the different events happening from different sides of the story.

The characters of the book were very interesting. All characters had their own flaws, making them remarkably human (despite the fact that some weren't all that human). Even upright and honorable characters had their flaws. Not all characters were given the chance to develop as well as others, a plague all books of this length and range seem to have, but the ones that George R.R. Martin focused on developed well. Some of characters were unlikable, but, like in life, we cannot expect to like everyone.

I'd give this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book has its flaws, but I believe that the good points definitely make up for its bad ones. Now, I can watch the miniseries on HBO and be a fangirl!

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

Home Concoctions: Carlo's "Mexican" Salad

My brother Carlo came up with this recipe while we were in the flat which I share with him on school days. Carlo calls this a Mexican salad, but to be honest, it's not a recipe unique to the Mexican cuisine. The only reason he calls it Mexican is he adds refried beans, salsa, and nachos. The time he whipped it up for us at home, he used Doritos instead.

The salad was surprisingly tasty and very filling. It's ideal for university students.

Romaine lettuce

Salsa (ready-made or homemade will do. My brother used the Tostitos mild salsa)

Canned corn (whole kernels)

Ripe mango

Refried beans (Any brand will do)

Nachos or Doritos

Wash and spin the lettuce before arranging it on a plate. Heat up the refried beans and spread it out over the lettuce. Spoon some salsa over the lettuce and refried beans. Next, cut the mango and get the meat from its cheeks with a spoon. Place it on the salad before adding the nachos or Doritos. Voila! Eat and enjoy!

Easy, simple, and filling enough to be a meal on its own. My brother and I had a lot of fun assembling this dish. Nothing like heavily-topped salad which pretends to be healthy. Hahahaha. 

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

SUPERMAN: RED SON by Mark Millar

The fantastic illustrators and inkers of this graphic novel: Dave Johnson, Kilian
Plunkett, Andrew Robinson, and Walden Wong

In 2003, comic book writer Mark Millar presented the ultimate what-if scenario in DC Comics. Millar, along with his fabulous artistic team, redirects the rocket ship that carries baby Kal-El to Earth, veering it away from Jonathan and Martha Kent's homey farm in Smallville for the fields of Ukraine while it is under the Soviet Union. In Superman: Red Son, the Hero of the American Dream and the All-American Icon becomes the Comrade of Steel and the poster boy of the U.S.S.R.

Comic book companies seem to be very fond of what-if scenarios, which can be very risky. If not done correctly, these alternate universes can turn out to be just well-funded, badly-written fan fictions. Millar, however, proves his writing prowess by masterly manipulating Superman's back story. Not only does he successfully paint a picture of a communist Superman, he also provides a gripping and creative story with multiple ingenious plot twists (especially the ending), exciting action, amusing name-dropping, and dynamic characters. 

Millar's characters develop very well throughout the graphic novel. One of the things I find wonderful about Millar's work is the fact that he did not simply move the DC characters to the Soviet Union, give them the Russian versions of their names, and make them do the same things they do in the mainstream universe. In Red Son, Millar really changes everything to make it a more compelling and more believable what-if story, though there were some changes made which I didn't understand how Superman's not being raised in America could have affected it.

To be honest, I am not a fan of the Man of Steel. I find him to be irritatingly self-righteous, naively big-headed, and too much of a boy scout in tights to be likable. His only saving grace is that he fights for the common good without any reluctance. In Red Son, Superman is every bit as self-righteous, big-headed, naive, and boy scout-y as he is in the mainstream continuity, but he stands for the ideals of communism instead of democracy. In Red Son, he also fights for what he believes is right, but he enforces his ideas of right and wrong differently. But it's not all nobility and goodness in this title. As Superman continues his fight for communism, he slowly becomes his own version of a dictator. 

Red Son features other key players in the DC Universe. There is Lex Luthor's portrayal in this graphic novel, which is nothing short of amazing. At one point in the graphic novel, I found myself rooting for Lex Luthor instead of the man in tights. Lois is present, of course, though h her interaction with the Comrade of Steel is quite minimal. James "Jimmy" Olsen is there as well, though he is much cooler here than in the mainstream continuity. Other members of Superman's rogues gallery like Brainiac (still as awesomely dangerous as ever), Bizarro, and Metallo make appearances as well.

Other DC heroes leave their mark on the story as well. The most prominent among them is Wonder Woman, which irritated me because she is the DC hero that I hate after Superman. Batman is as amazing as ever. Still fueled by his parents's murder, he aims to take down the soviet government. The Green Lantern Corp. (always a pleasure to read about) makes a small but exciting appearance as well. 

When it comes to the plot and the characters, my comment is "MORE". I wanted more action with Batman, the Green Lanterns, and even Bizarro. There could have been more in terms of relationship exploration between the different characters. There could have been more about the Warsaw Pact and the Cold War. Generally, the graphic novel could have afforded to have more going on. Don't get me wrong: Millar's work is undeniably excellent, but it leaves much to be desired. 

As important as the plot and the characters is the theme, something which Millar never fails to present very well. Red Son, like many of Millar's stellar works, carries multiple themes. These themes includes democracy versus communism, the fine line between benign dictatorship and despotism, and the difference between what is right and what is ideal.

Let's not forget about the art (which I am guilty of doing from time to time). The art, in my opinion, was fantastic. The art in Red Son is engaging and attractive. Many of the panels can leap off the page. This is the kind of art that I think most, and I emphasize the word, superhero comics should have.

Overall, I give Superman: Red Son four out of five stars. It is one of the better Superman titles that I have read and is one of the best alternate universe story arcs that I have encountered from both DC and Marvel. I definitely look forward to reading more from Millar, a comic book genius, and seeing more art by Red Son's four talented artists. 

Food Trip Day Part 3: High Tea Party

My last meal for Food Trip Day was eaten in a friend's house. Seven friends and I gathered together to have a high tea party, complete with cute little tea cups and finger sandwiches. Since I do not know my friends's internet privacy policies, I will not be posting pictures in which they appear.

The tea selection was made up of English Breakfast, green tea, and a mystery tea from a brand called Spic's. For food, our gracious hostess prepared homemade scones, tuna finger sandwiches, tomato, cheese, and basil canapes, and French apple tarts with vanilla ice cream. The food was delicious, the tea was warm and mild, and the company was nothing short of wonderful.

Thus ends Food Trip Day, a celebration of family, friendship, and food. The comforts of life.

Until always,

Lemonjuicesodapop

Food Trip Day Part 2: Greeka Kouzina

On Food Trip Day, lunch time was spent with my mother and my brother in Greeka Kouzina, the one month old Greek restaurant near the hospital where my mother works. My family loves Greek food with a passion, so we were very excited to eat in this new restaurant. We ordered an interesting line-up of food.

For starters: Melitzanosalata with pita bread

As an appetizer, we ordered Melitzanosalata, Greek eggplant dip, with pita bread. In general, I hate eggplants, but I couldn't stop myself from slathering the meltizanosalata all over my piece of pita bread! The dip was flavorful and smooth, while the pita bread was warm, soft, and tasty. Definitely something to tickle your tastebuds as you wait for your food.

Fig Roka Salata

Fig roka salata was the next dish we ordered. It was excellent! The lettuce was crispy, while the dressing, though in need of a little more sugar, gave it (the lettuce) a little kick. The walnuts added more a crunch to the salad. The sweet figs, the light cheese, the vinegar, and the sun-dried tomatoes all complimented one another, while the arugula topped of everything else to make a wonderfully delicious salad.

My brother's main course: the lamb gyro

For his main dish, my brother ordered the lamb gyro, from which he allowed me to take a bite. The gyro was bursting with succulent lamb, mild feta cheese, and juicy tomatoes. When eaten with drizzled lemon juice and garlic sauce, it makes a wonderful Mediterranean wrap. I can't wait to order my own gyro soon.

The lamb gyro's side dish: patates triganites

The lamb gyro comes with your own choice of a side dish. My brother, being a potato-lover, chose patates triganites, potatoes with feta cheese and a Greek version of gravy sauce. It was so good that my mother and I couldn't help but get seconds.

The other main dish: lamb shoulder with baked potato wedges

The other main dish that we ordered was the grilled lamb shoulder with baked potato wedges. The lamb was juicy, tender, and full of flavor. I loved it! The potato wedges, however, were a bit of a let down. It didn't have much flavor, and the garlic sauce could only do so much to help it. Luckily, it didn't detract from the excellence of the lamb shoulder.

The lamb shoulder's  side dish: moussaka

Like the lamb gyro, the lamb shoulder comes with a side dish. For our side dish, we ordered the moussaka, which I describe as a Greek lasagna with eggplant. As I mentioned earlier, I hate eggplants, but I couldn't keep away from this dish! It was delicious, albeit a bit oily. Even the eggplant tasted in this dish!

Dessert: Greek Yogurt

For dessert, we ordered two scoops of Greek yogurt with honey and pistachio bits. After one spoon, I fell head-over-heels with this dish. The yogurt was creamy, rich, and tangy, a taste which complimented the sweet, golden honey. Every spoonful was a delight to my taste buds.

The decorative light fixtures

I would also like to compliment the restaurant's decor. The bottom floor of the two-story restaurant was a comfortable room with a high ceiling, making the room seem large, white walls with one wall covered in white stone, giving the room a modern Mediterranean look, and large windows, letting in a lot of light (if eating there for lunch).

Seated at the table next to us was the owner's father, who told us that his son, who received formal training in French cuisine, taught himself to cook Greek cuisine. My mother couldn't help but praise his son for the exquisite food.

Greeka Kouzina is definitely a restaurant I want to return to. With a comfortable eating area and wonderfully divine food, this restaurant is fit for the gods!