A Sweet Goodbye

Yesterday was my very last day at the Museum, a place I've been for close to nine years. My Asian Art co-workers gave me a gorgeous & sweet smelling bouquet. I have many thoughts and memories swirling around my head as I begin a new chapter in my life.

Shake Shack Junkie

Over the last two months, I've become an undeniable Shake Shack Junkie. It's too good to resist.

The Business of Goodbyes

After all of this happened, which has now somewhat settled, we're down to the business of goodbyes. My lunches and dinners have been filled to the brim with saying goodbye. I've had lots of thoughts and reflections over the last couple of months and sometimes it's pretty darn sad to say goodbye and scary to step out onto new turf. However, I see it as an opportunity to grow plus there's always an open door for me to come back and visit.

I will always treasure my time here. Always. It's been a dream. Thank you guys.

Larb

My absolute favorite Thai dish is larb. And my favorite Thai restaurant is Chao Thai, in Elmhurst, a couple of blocks away from my apartment. I almost always get larb with an order of Hainanese rice because I can't resist and then order something new to shake things up a bit.

Crab meat wrapped in tofu skin


My mouthwatering Larb.


Duck salad. A tad too sweet for me (but it's just me, I'm not a sugar or pineapple fan).


And if you're not convinced by me, the NYTimes just wrote about larb, and how they never get tired of larb either.

Fresh Season

It's the season for buying all things fresh from the farmer's market. This is what we picked up last Saturday in Barryville.

Solar cooking

This bizarre looking contraption is a solar cooking device cooking our whole chicken on the stone terrace. Geoff introduces something new to me all the time.



If you get plenty of sunlight you can buy a solar cooker here, a portion of the proceeds helps subsidize distribution of the solar cooker in developing countries.

Cheburechnaya

Two co-workers are headed to the Caucasus Mountains for holiday and when one mentioned that to me, I told her about Cheburechnaya, a Russian/ Middle Eastern restaurant in Rego Park, Queens. We had dinner there so they could get a preview of what they might be eating on their trip. We ordered a bunch of things and dove in before I could remember to take photos. My fave was the rice pilaf with herbs and bits of lamb (not pictured).

Samsy with ribs (no bones and it's large enough to share).


Lamb and beef kebabs.

A Conversation with Nadia Sablin on Nymphoto

Still Life with Yellow Hummer from Alehovshchina Nadia Sablin


Yanush with a Pregnant Cat from From the Mountains and to the Sea Nadia Sablin

My Conversation with Nadia Sablin is on the Nymphoto Blog today. The glimmer of light she captures in her low-light interiors are gorgeous as are the textures and layers.

Current events

This NYTimes article about immigrant families scammed by a "pastor" in Corona, Queens is so sad. How can one even begin thinking of taking advantage of the disadvantaged? On a more positive note, this other NYTimes article gives me hope for those in China. This incident occurred in my grandmother's province. The internet may prove to be their salvation against corruption and evil. What a brave girl.

Presentation

Geoff got uber creative making salad the other day. Organic greens with edible flowers from garden + organic french lentils.

Swimming Away

My friend Liu has been making really great images since he moved back to Taiwan a couple of months ago. I've been thinking about my uncle who is sick there, missing him and my cousins (and of course, my favorite foods). My memories and these photos make me nostalgic.











All images by Tzu Cheng Liu

And in case you're wondering, what I was mumbling about yesterday was a no go. So I am not going to expand on it.

Sitting and Waiting

I am sitting and waiting, with my fingers crossed.

Enjoying the Green

We were supposed to catsit in Pond Eddy but then Geoff's plans changed and he decided to stay at home. R & I went up anyway and ended up lending a hand with getting the cottage ready so that it will be available for rental soon (our goal is July!)

Here's my Rosie in a new bed on the windowsill.


And some shots from the happy garden.

a la Geoffrey

We spent a good chunk of the weekend in Pond Eddy with Geoff. It was so nice to get out of the city (especially after 8 hours of struggling with the car on Friday). He made sure we had wonderful time and fed us well during our visit.

B: Chicken and apple sausage sauteed with onions, dandelion, and kale. Local egg over easy on top of a bed of spring onions along with a slice of multi-grain bread.


L: Homemade pizza with sauteed homegrown kale.


D: Coq au vin.

Dozen Cupcakes

Dozen Cupcakes is in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh. We were in the area for some "chair" business and looked up places to check out in the area. It's very cute.



The chocolate chocolate.


The Red Velvet.


I was a bit disappointed by the quality of the cupcakes. I don't know, maybe not moist enough and too sugary, not creamy? Presentation and service was great though.

I Salivate Every Time...

I salivate every time I think about Thai food. Eating it is just so pleasurable! Boon Chu on Bway in Elmhurst.

I poured half this hot sauce on my food. It's way salty but so nice and spicy!


Spicy papaya salad.


I can't remember what this was called. Lots of basil and peppers.


R's Pad Thai.


For some reason there is also really interesting programming at my local Thai restaurants.

Simple Mocs

It turns out that I think I'm pretty gifted. Check out the mocs I made from the Simple kit. To those who think they might want to rock the same look, be aware that this process makes your fingers really sore!!! (These run narrow and you have to order up. The kit is on super sale and is below $5- the price amazingly includes shipping!)

The Pink Girls

More sewing lesson photos. They are way too cute!

C with the napkins she made.


J with her stack.


J's little fingers working a practice piece on the serger.


We devised a simple little tank top pattern for them.


J in her stripey one.


C in her peachy king one.

The Mrs.

Turns out my Mr. is a Mrs. She's been spotted with the baby. I hope I can be lucky enough to catch sight of the darling.

Flokati Baby!

I know it's way too warm to think about anything this fuzzy and warm but I scored this Flokati rug at a estate sale this past weekend. Love it, love it, love it (esp. now that it's clean). I also got the chair of my dreams, but more on that later.

Stuck

Stuck Rona Chang

Last image from Peru that I'm going to post for a while. Some fun snaps coming up.

Sunday Afternoon

Sunday Afternoon Rona Chang

Sunday Afternoon was photographed in the Huacachina Oasis near Ica, Peru. I loved it there and probably would have loved it more if I weren't sick and could have braved it to go sand boarding.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Choclo Vendor

Choclo Vendor Rona Chang

Choclo is what Peruvians call the big white kerneled corn they eat. You can hear vendors selling choclo all over the streets and even on long distance buses when you are at a rest stop. Jello (gelatina) is also very popular for some reason, there's always people walking around the main plazas with Jello on a tray.

El Bambino (The Baby)

El Bambino (The Baby) Rona Chang

For those who came out last night to see Nymphoto Presents at Sasha Wolf, thank you. If you could not come (for some inexcusable reason) you have until June 6 to catch it.

El Bambino is another image from Peru I've been debating.

The Collector

The Collector Rona Chang

Sorry for the lack of posts. My head has not been in it. I was actually busy (accidentally) double dosing on Day and Nyquil over the long weekend. I promise to be better now that my head is clearer.

Nymphoto Presents opens at Sasha Wolf tonight. I'm showing The Collector, a new image from Peru. I hope to see you there.

My Favorite Pals

Some sightings of my favorite pals from the park.



Feeding hour.




R and I are headed back to Pitt for the long weekend. I think there will be some birthday cakes and bbq's in store. Have a brilliant weekend, see you next week!

The Run Around

Sorry to not have popped in sooner. I have another cold clogging up my head. I'm just sitting here wising it would let up because it's so beautiful outside, everyday. It's torturous. I thought I'd share some pics from last weekend to make up for posting. Ross and I went to DUMBO with Jack, my cousin's cousin. He's visiting from TW and I thought I'd show him around Brooklyn a bit since he had no clue what the borough looked like. We walked around Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO and went to Grimaldi's, whose service is lacking but is still serving some amazing pies. We also saw some shows at NYPH so it was a lovely day.

I picked up a new Mr.T-shirt from my friend Noah. Love it.


Noah gave me this button for my soon to be status.


I bought an old Coach bag from a stoop sale for $5.


We went to see my friend, Jennifer Williams's show [FLŌ] @ A.I.R. Gallery which is up until May 24, 2009 (This Sat!!!) It's an amazing show, so go!




A.I.R. Gallery
111 Front Street, #228 Brooklyn, NY 11201
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 6pm
212-255-6651
info@airgallery.org
www.airgallery.org

When I got home, I got two of Ann's books in the mail. I will be working with some of these poems for the Breathing In book. More images coming soon, maybe in a week or two. Promise.

Fashionistas

Ta daa! My little fashionistas and their completed tote bag projects. They are using them as school bags!



Juiszelle and her messenger style bag.


Camille with a very big red button to close her bag.


Enjoy your weekend!

Landmarks of New York at the NY Historical Society

from NY Historical Society:

LANDMARKS OF NEW YORK
An exhibition of 83 photographs documenting some of the most significant buildings and public parks in New York City will be on view at The New-York Historical Society from April 30 through July 12, 2009, in the exhibition Landmarks of New York. The exhibition has traveled to 82 countries under the sponsorship of the United States Department of State since 2006 and is now coming home to New York for its final showing. The photographs in the exhibition will then enter the collection of the New-York Historical Society, through a donation from the exhibition's curator, Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel.

Some of the photographers include Jennifer Williams, Christine Osinski, Teresa Christiansen, Reuben Cox, Mike Vahrenwald, Tony Gonzalez and me(!). The photos are now in the collection of the New York Historical Society which means I'm in a collection!!!

New York Historical Society
170 Central Park West between 76th and 77th Street
The New-York Historical Society is open to the general public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m; free admission on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday hours are from 11:00 a.m. until 5:45 p.m.

Ross Made

Some of you have met Ross in person and some haven't. Since I'm on a roll about how awesome my sweetheart is, I thought I'd show you some details of pants he's working on.

Love the shape of the pocket.


Two backsides.


Yummy mustardy yellow.


Vintage pocket details.