Week-in-the-Life Project: Day 3

Interviewer: Day 3 of the Project. So how is it going?

Me: So far not bad. Getting the hang of  it - noting down details of things that caught my interest and being aware of how I spend time everyday - not that I'm saying every single minute is well-spent. (laughs)

Interviewer: It's been a rather slow week for you. Is it like this everyday?

Me: Slow is a relative term, I guess. Compared to life in, say, some tropical island where people choose to take on lower-paying-lower-stress jobs so that they can spend the better part of the day hitting the waves and surf, my week would've been somewhat too fast-paced. But of course, compared to the crazy rat races in offices where all people do is stare at their computers 10 hours a day or attend meetings or busy kissing up to management, you know, just stressed out about their job security and advancements....all those stuffs, well, then definitely this week has been just a crawl! Oh by the way, we really did meet many hotel workers, artists and tour operators when we visited here some years ago - people who opted for simpler jobs just so that they can enjoy their days doing fun stuffs. This hotel front-desk manager whom we've gotten quite close to during our last trip told us that he only worked 4-5 hours a day so that he can teach surfing in the afternoons!

Interviewer: That's unconventional. Probably unrealistic. I guess it works for some but not all. After all, stability in life does mean wealth and material accumulation - houses and cars to your name, a respectable career with, preferably, senior job titles and whole slew of academic accolades. Society determines your worth that way. 

Me: Which society? Where are you from?

Interviewer: I mean, for example beach bums - not many people think highly of them, you know what I mean? Anyway, enough about that. So how was your day today? Hi-lowlights? Disasters averted? Lives saved?

Me: Well, I'd love to tell you that I had to swim through an sea of sharks to rescue a seasoned swimmer from drowning in the morning, then chaired a power-lunch with high-impact Silicon Valley business leaders to discuss the local economic crisis (and World Peace, of course), headed over to the NPC for some charity work in the afternoon and finally returned home in time to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal for the family. And oh, I forgot to mention, I even managed to squeeze in a rigorous cardio workout despite the hectic day.

Interviewer: Wow, really? Sharks? 

Me:  I said "I would love to tell you". You weren't listening? So, anyway, it was another session with Marion in the morning. I wrote a recipe en Français for the first time today. Conjugations. Vocabulary. Pronounciation. Not bad. Not bad at all. Do you want to read it?

Interviewer: No, not really. But thanks for the offer.

Me: *shrug* But the cardio workout part is true though.

Interviewer: So.....

Me: So, for lunch - yes, I ate out again today. Third time in a row this week! I met up with some dear friends, ex-colleagues. One of them is visiting from Toronto - Thomas. He used to work for me when I ran the financials for the site. One of the most laid-back subordinate I ever had - I used to gravitate towards the intensely aggressive ones only - but really, one of the sweetest guy I know. We had a great lunch at Cheesecake Factory. I haven't seen most of them for almost 4-5 months, so it was good to catch up with everyone again. We promised to do another meet-up soon - someone said next week. But judging by the track record, I think it's going to be another 4-5 months before we meet-up again. Oh well......

eat-like-there's-no-tomorrow crazy lunch portion of Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Mr Waiter, thanks but please keep your day job; you're not cut out to be a photographer

full and happy.....

Interviewer: Sounds like fun. *Yawns* What else did you do?

Me: Well, since I was already at the mall, I thought I'd walk around and window-shop a bit (which normal, sane and sound person female wouldn't take advantage of that, right?) 

Interviewer: So did you buy anything?

Me: Hey, it's none of your business how much I spend or if I got a good price for it at the mall!

Interviewer: Pardon?

Me: Oh, sorry, what was your question again?

Interviewer: Nevermind, moving along. So in summary, that was it? French lesson. Meet-up with friends. Some shopping? 

Me: Oh, oh, I made this simple yet delicious Vietnamese spicy fish salad for dinner. It's wonderful. We first had it at a Vietnamese restaurant in the Bay Area - the only one to be serving this dish, we were told. The fish used for this dish is usually catfish fillet, marinated in spices then lightly grilled (or pan-fried) in skillet and eaten with some spicy-tangy dipping sauce and a plethora of greens and herbs, dill being the prominent star in this case. I made my own version for dinner yesterday using Tilapia fillets; we didn't have dill, and substituted with basil instead. It was still superb - clean and fresh taste with a bit of kick from the turmeric and pepper. A dish that wouldn't wear you down with beaucoup de calories after eating. Sorry, I don't have any photos to show, but here's the recipe - simplified and paired down just like how we made it yesterday. There're no precise measurements on this, much like most Asian recipes- if you feel like you need more salt, add a tablespoon (or more) fish sauce. Or don't. Google "Cha Ca" for the more authentic version.

Spicy Fish Salad

5-6 fillets of white, firm-fleshed fish fillet (I used tilapia)

Marinade:

2 Tbsp turmeric powder

1 Tbsp galangal powder (may omit if not available)

1 Tbsp minced ginger - fresh or powder form, does not matter

2-3 Tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

For the pan-fry

2 shallots, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp chili flakes

1 big onion, chopped

3 stalks scallions, cut into 1" strips

3 Tbsp oil for pan-frying

For the salad:

Vietnamese rice stick noodles - cooked and drained

Mint leaves - as big a bunch and as many as you like

Basil leaves - generous portions, please. Note: the original dish uses fresh dill, which give the dish its distinct quality. 

Beansprouts

Cucumber, sliced into thin rounds

Carrots, either julienned or thinly sliced - your preference.

Lettuce - we used romaine lettuce

For the dressing:

4-5 Thai bird chillies (you can use jalapenos)

1/4 cup vinegar

Juice from 1 lime or lemon

3 Tbsp fish sauce

1 Tbsp agave nectar (or use sugar)

Pepper to taste

Marinade fish fillet in the above for at least half an hour. Then heat a skillet, add the oil and once the oil is heated, cook shallot until translucent. Add in chilli flakes. Add in the fish fillets. Allow at least 5-7 minutes on each side - I like my fillets to caramelize a bit. When the fish is about done, throw in the onions and scallions, stir them around for ~ 3 minutes then turn off the heat. They will continue to cook in the hot skillet.

In a big bowl (or if you don't like sharing, use individual bowls like us!), grab a generous portion of noodles and all the salad ingredients - be very very generous with the herbs!, then place few pieces of fillet over the greens, pour several teaspoons of sauce all over and enjoy. Warm, crispy and spicy fillets against the crunchy cold and fresh greens - a contrast of textures and a blend of flavorful spices and herbs. Try it!

Interviewer: Sounds refreshing. 

Me: It is. The greens fill you up, yet you're getting proteins and nutrition at the same time.

Interviewer: So any desserts? 

Me: What? No, I'm not a superwoman. I didn't have time to bake nor think of desserts. Especially after this earlier on in the evening.

Wed. evening zumba session

Interviewer: Good, that's good. No dessert for a day is good. So all in all, a good day? Is there anything else you'd like to share? Anything that you'd like to remember this day by?

Me: Well, actually I did receive some excellent news via email the first thing this morning, although by mid-day, it was more like a mixed bag of emotions. And I don't think the latter part of the evening went well at all. Then again, it was simply due to my own fault and naive expectations. But still, never lose your childlike enthusiasm.......not sure if Fellini really said that but it's from a movie line (and I'd add: hope in mankind or if that fails, hope in God!). I went to bed rather confused but woke up chirpy as a bird. Bon vivant. What's not to be happy about?!

Interviewer: Well, thanks for your time. It's been a blast.

Me: Uh-huh. Can I ask you something, Mr Interviewer?

Interviewer: Ask away.....

Me: How long have you been doing this?

Interviewer: This? Well, not too long.......I'm in some sort of transition you see....

Me: Oh, no wonder. You suck! And that's by no means an insult. Plain truth.

**************Awkward silence****************

Interviewer: You're a straight-shooter. Errmmm....thanks for that anyway. See you tomorrow.