Jennifer J. Chow's Blog, page 34

Cattlepen Maze

 

#wordlessWednesday

#BookReview: Superbeetle

“Your respect for others will be your ticket to success.”

Superbeetle by S. Michele Chen

4 stars

Pros:

Taiwan setting
Chinese words

Cons:

Some flat characters
Modern family dynamics* (see note below)

 

I was super excited to get ahold of this. Because of its vibrant cover, I actually thought this would be a picture book. (Warning: If your kids don’t like bugs, the cover might put them off.) However, it’s actually a lovely chapter book with images scattered throughout the pages.

I liked how the setting is in Taiwan, and it was great having an honest portrayal of a child who needs to go see extended relatives in a different country but feels awkward doing so. The fantastical aspect of Superbeetle and his amazing writing ability also drew me in. I would have liked some of the side characters in the story (like the grandmother) to be more developed, but this book is geared towards kids so it’s not really a problem for younger readers.

I admired how Chen defined Chinese words throughout the book. However, I did find some a little simplistic (e.g. potstickers) and thought the audience might already be familiar with them. Also, some of the pronunciation is a bit off from what it actually sounds like in Mandarin.

One warning note*: There is mention of divorce in the beginning of the book. So I had to explain that concept (on the fly) in further detail when reading this story out loud.

An important and fun-paced chapter book about culture, Taiwan, and bugs.

Find more of my book ratings and reviews here.

Foodie Friday: Poke

Poke: Fish salad

Poke places have been popping up everywhere around me. I’m not sure if it’s a health trend that’s spreading or what. Since I do like sashimi at times, fresh tuna salad seemed like a great idea. What I love about poke is the Asian flavor infused in it; I’m all about the marinade. Feel free to make your own at home with this recipe.

Fun fact: Fishermen in Hawaii would use their catch to make poke and eat it as a snack. 

Cherry Blossoms Painting

#wordlessWednesday

Foodie Friday: Ramen Snack

Tried out this new food craze…

Ramen snack: crunchy, flavored ramen, eaten as an appetizer

I’ve heard recent hype about eating uncooked ramen. Apparently, folks are buying crunchy ramen for snacks. This is not the typical ramen–although I’ve known people to eat those uncooked noodles straight from the bag. Now companies are actually producing dry ramen with different flavors and spices.

The way to eat it is to smash the noodles in the bag, pour the flavoring in, shake it all up, and then crunch on the bite-sized morsels. So I went and tried a bag, but I really couldn’t see the big delight factor. To me, it really is just crushed uncooked ramen noodles with some salt flavoring (mine was advertised as bulgolgi). Not really a proper food or snack in my mind…

Verdict: Thumbs-down.

Angels Flight Reading

“Meaningful relationships bring meaning to life.”

It’s nice to live in a city pulsing with culture. Once in a while, I’ll pop by a reading. Sometimes they’re held in cool places like Clifton’s Republic, complete with stuffed animals. (Clifton’s is a rebooted historical cafeteria that features woodland decor.)

My impetus to go was my friend Siel Ju‘s newest book, CAKE TIME. Winner of the 2015 Red Hen Press Fiction Award, it officially launches April 6th, but I got a freshly minted copy–hurrah! Set in LA, it’s a raw, gritty novel-in-series that follows the ups and downs of a female protagonist across the years.

The other debut novelist in the spotlight was Lilliam Rivera. I’m all for YA lit and diverse characters, so I was excited to learn about THE EDUCATION OF MARGOT SANCHEZ. The book explores the teen years of a Puerto Rican girl growing up in the Bronx.

The sponsor of the night, Angels Flight Literary West, has a mission to explore the “uncharted stories of Los Angeles and beyond.” Contributors to the magazine ( Chris Daley, CLS Ferguson, Tod Goldberg, Patrick O’Neil, and Stephanie Zhong) also read pieces for the night. My favorites ones were from: Stephanie Zhong, who paralleled her trip to Manzanar with today’s political climate; and Tod Goldberg, who explored the bittersweet memories that rose up after the passing of his mom.

Sometimes it’s nice to breathe in the literary air. I continue to feel inspired by all the writers creating around me.

 

Foodie Friday: DIY Boba

Okay, as you well know, I’m a fan of boba. (See this previous post for my explanation and to watch the Bobalife video!)

Anyway, there are now chains popping up with an all-you-can-eat style. That means you pick a tea and add whatever ingredients you want. You can go crazy with bobas, jellies, puddings, etc. My plan of action was to choose, say, three ingredients at the most. Nope, went way overboard! Here’s the result:

I like the idea of getting more bang for your buck. In the end, though, all those different flavors mix together too much. Lesson learned: It’s better to stick with just one or two ingredients.

DIY Boba

Okay, as you well know, I’m a fan of boba. (See this previous post for my explanation and to watch the Bobalife video!)

Anyway, there are now chains popping up with an all-you-can-eat style. That means you pick a tea and add whatever ingredients you want. You can go crazy with bobas, jellies, puddings, etc. My plan of action was to choose, say, three ingredients at the most. Nope, went way overboard! Here’s the result:

I like the idea of getting more bang for your buck. In the end, though, all those different flavors mix together too much. Lesson learned: It’s better to stick with just one or two ingredients.

Sakura

“A smile is the most effective medicine.”

Every spring I enjoy watching the blossoms burst forth. Their bright cheeriness gives me joy and hope. My favorite tree is the sakura.

Cherry blossoms exude a sweetness and delicacy with their petals. In historical Japan, people would often relax and picnic under their branches. Festivals still abound world-wide as folks flock to see their glorious floral displays.

What speaks spring to you?

P.S. Fun fact: Sakura mochi is modeled after the cherry blossom.

Foodie Friday: Fried Taro Rolls

Fried taro rolls: mini egg-roll looking taro pieces

These are great as appetizers or mini desserts! They’ve got real taro on the inside and a light crispy skin. Not as flaky as fried taro puffs, they concentrate on providing the full root flavor.

Fun fact: The leaves of the taro plant look like elephant ears.