Thursday, July 17, 2008

Joseph and Bach: Soul Mates



This is Joseph, and this is Bach. Joseph is my nephew and the older brother of "Baby Trina". He is almost 2 years and 4 months old. He has always loved music, and began his musical life by playing the trombone. He is able to produce various tones and use the slide while marching; it's quite an impressive sight. Recently Joseph discovered that he loves pipe organs, and he talks about "organ pipes" every day. Naturally, he also loves J.S. Bach as well. He also talks about Bach every day. He knows that Bach got into a little duel with his sword as a young man, and so Joseph like to talk about 'going to castles to fight dragons with Bach'. When Joseph creates his own music out of household items, as all kids like to do, he calls it "Bach music."

He asked me many times if he could see some pipe organs, so I finally planned a trip for him and his 4-year-old nephew Adam, who is a beautiful singer, to visit some pipe organs at BYU. The highlight of the trip for Joseph was visiting my friend Doug Bush in his office with his "big organ". Joseph took his opportunity to meet Bro. Bush very seriously, and became very excited. So the two were introduced, and Joseph got to listen to Doug play, and examine his first real pipe organ. Joseph was overwhelmed with all the organ pictures on the walls, and was very excited when he saw the very large picture of Bach in the room. Upon seeing it, he yelled out, "that's Bach!". Adam also enjoyed the trip. Later he said to me, "that was a fun place. I got to hear the organ, and see how you play it." Adam also played "hot cross buns" on the organ a number of times. Every day now, Joseph asks me if I'll take him back. Joseph get's a little confused though, and sometimes he thinks that Doug is Bach himself...




This is Adam with his older brother Andrew--Adam was three here. Adam great love is singing, and he has an extraordinary voice. He recently composed a song called, "I love you", and another called "don't cry". His eyelashes are 'to die for', and make many women jealous. He already turns the heads of little girls and old ladies, and everyone in between. And his spirit is as beautiful as his beaming face and silver voice--he is very warm and loving.

Monday, July 07, 2008

I love Food! Episode I: Asian food
Asian food is probably my favorite cuisine, though it's hard to say that, since I love all good food :) One of my goals is to learn to cook all my favorite dishes. I love Thai, Indian, Korean and Japanese cuisines, in that order. So far I have lots of cookbooks with lots of amazing pictures, but that's as far as I've gotten. I love to cook, but not as a solitary activity, I like to do it as a group activity, with friends or family. The first thing I'd like to learn is Bibimpop, my beloved Korean dish, pictured here. Featured below are some more of my favorite asian dishes. In order of appearance, they are: , spring rolls, pad thai, curry dish, miso soup, Tom yum gong (a wonderful Thai soup), and sushi (I love it when I'm in the mood for it). Then a a lovely boiled egg creation: a baby chick! Last but not least is Mango sticky rice dessert (must try this)