Lots of good news this past week...

1) Turned in my paper and received prompt feedback. So much for getting a break! However, after listening to my cousin's story of having to wait over a month for feedback on her thesis, I decided it was better to get it back within a few days. Mostly positive, just have to work on clarifying a few concepts and it should be ready to go off to my second reader in a few weeks!

2) It's spring break this week!

3) And last, but definitely not least...

...Calvin and I are engaged!

I planned to be MIA on Xanga this semester, but then I would be a hypocrite for advocating "blogging" or other forms of online disclosure as "therapeutic." Truly, it is, and hence, I am here.

What's going on this semester:

-Final "thesis" (it's called a "culminating experience" and is about 20-30 pages, so shorter than a normal thesis): my topic is "The Effects of Acculturation on Chinese American Elders." I hope by the time that I become an elder, there will be more studies on Chinese American elders who are more like me.

-Presentations galore: four mandatory, one voluntary

-Internship at Institute on Aging: I'll be in the Research department, and to make a long story short, it's actually a better fit than my original internship. Added bonus: my supervisor is German! Our initial meeting went well, and I'm excited about all the things I'm going to learn and do.

-Graduation in May: can't wait!

-Looking for a full-time job: actually need to start now/soon...

-My "other" class, or what my friend, Vivian, affectionately calls my 5.0 unit class: Calvin

Hope to be in touch during the semester... if not, you know where I am and what I'm doing...

Once again, it was time for another Iron Chef Battle. Last year's secret ingredient was mushrooms, and Cal & I finished in second place, so we were determined to gain a win in this third battle.

This year's secret ingredient: EGG.

While we used various kinds of fancy mushrooms last year, we stuck to the common egg this year and actually fared better. Changes to this year's battle included making two appetizers and a dessert (i.e. no main dish), and the judges were the cooks themselves, although the "fans" aka non-cooks were given a vote for their tasting efforts.

Here are some photos to recap the battle:


Cal hard at work heating the pan for the French toast


The egg custard tarts waiting to go into the oven


Appetizer #1: Deviled Egg Dip with Ranch Pita Chips


Appetizer #2: French Toast Sandwich


Dessert: Chinese Egg Custard Tart


And the winner was... Cal and me! (here's our prize, a golden whisk)

Our appetizers did especially well, placing #1 and #2 in the appetizer category. Dessert placed #3 (again)... the custard turned out well, but the crust turned out more cookie-like and less flaky like pie.

We're happy about our win, and even more excited that we get to choose the secret ingredient for the next battle! 

Happy New Year!