Impromptu

Flower in my hotel...

Food and memories

I saw this article in the New York Times today and just like the Proustian scenario where the character is transported to another time by the taste of a madeleine, my thoughts were racing as I read it.

It's red and comes with a rooster on the bottle. The first time I ever saw Huy Fong Foods' sriracha sauce was when my husband and I went on our first date to a Vietnamese restaurant. Everything tasted really good, but I didn't want to spoil it by adding some sauce I didn't know about. I tried it later and realized it has a good burn.

Because of the rooster, many people just call it the "rooster sauce". I'm sure those Asian grocery people think it's funny when all the non-Asians come in looking for it. One of the engineers I worked with developed a taste, so as a going away gift when she left the company, I gave her a bottle.

Amazingly enough, I used to talk to some of the folks at Huy Fong for one of my first jobs. The company I worked for supplied a part used in the sriracha sauce production. One of the Whitney boys took care of them (can't remember if it was Bob or Russ...our company's version of the Smothers Brothers...) and he said they were good customers. Turns out grinding hot peppers wears out the parts we sold pretty regularly.

It has been eleven years since I left that job, but I still have a flood of memories whenever I see that rooster on the table in the condiments. Go out and try some today...if nothing else, your sinuses will be cleared! Enjoy!

The Graduate edition

It's graduation season again, and the 'net's abuzz with all sorts of graduation stories. Here are a few I've encountered recently.

Michelle Obama delivers Charge to Graduates at University of California, Merced (from www.nytimes.com)
Sometimes the impossible does come true.

Tulane graduates get a special salute (from www.yahoo.com)
The class of 2009 started just before Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005

And at my alma mater, Greg Mortenson gave the commencement address today at the Chaifetz Arena.

Fun, fun, fun

I find my joy of living in the fierce and ruthless battles of life, and my pleasure comes from learning something. ~Auguste Strindberg, Miss Julie, 1888 (from http://www.quotegarden.com/misc1.html)


Lots of learning going on here...even with the close of the school year. One little fellow will be learning to swim and Mom will be prepping to go back to school for the next adventure.

Should be an interesting summer...stay tuned!