Afghanistan exhibit at the Asian Art Museum

This is a wonderful show. Not only is the artwork pretty amazing, but the story behind the pieces is even more remarkable. The items on display were discovered at various times in the 20th century. They were all thought lost in the late 70s due to all of the warfare and strife in the country. The treasures shown in this show were discovered in 2003 to have been hidden in bank vaults! The pieces show various influences from all of the cultures that have traveled, traded and warred with Afghanistan.

Cheng Family Christmas

The family holiday meal is a massive feast held annually at Da Uncle's home. As in most years, extended family are brought along to add a little variety to the festivities. The food tends to be an amazingly eclectic combination of dishes. This year included roast beef, ham, yams, mashed potatoes, cellophane noodles and plain noodles, a shrimp and mushroom dish, quiche, carrots, and some other things I skipped over. Dessert included chocolate birthday cake (we have a lot of December birthdays in the family) and Grace's famous flan. The collection of small children keeps growing (Kai is the newbie this year), and some of the children are not so small anymore! After most of the families with kids went home, Hunter brought out his cello to play a few selections for the hardy few remaining. I wrapped up the evening with a personal slideshow of 3 Uncle and Aunt's photos from their Egypt trip, which were amazing.

Academy of Science

I went to visit this new museum with my sister and her kids. Apparently about a gajillion other families in the area had the exact same idea. The place was completely packed. The building is as impressive as all the reviews say they are. However, I'm going to hazard a guess that the architectural critics were given a special tour. They should try visiting the place with a real holiday crowd. The design is terrible for finding your way around with young kids and strollers. The building is also very loud. Most of the materials are hard-glass, stone, concrete. Throw a pack of children in there and it's pretty much impossible to hear anything. Line ups for the rainforest are long and end up cutting across the main passage from the front to the back. There are two separate elevators to get to the downstairs aquarium and the upstairs living roof (pictured), which are two of the primary attractions. The penguins are stuck at the end of a stone hallway, guaranteeing large packs of people blocking exits during the feedings. Seriously folks, form follows function, doesn't it?

Snow in So Cal

I drove up to Mountain View on Sunday to spend Xmas with the family. We've had some cold, rainy weather in LA recently and the snow level dropped quite low. I didn't realize how low until I saw snow still piled up on the local hills surrounding LA. This photo is from the 5 freeway on the way out of LA. Doesn't look like much if you're from Canada or the Northeast, but this is major for us!

Slumdog Millionaire

This is a great movie! It's set in India and tells the story of a boy from the slums who goes on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". When he reaches the highest levels of the game, he's arrested because the authorities believe he's cheating. He ends up telling them his life story by way of explaining how he knows the answers to the questions. The movie combines a very old fashioned type of story with some very modern cinematography and great Indian pop music to make a story that can't help but suck you in and make you cheer. It reminded me of how it felt watching "Strictly Ballroom". The sound track is amazing as well.

Hatfield's

I went to this restaurant the other day and had a wonderful experience. It's a small restaurant on Beverly Blvd. near the Grove. Decor is minimal. Noise level was pleasant, not deathly quiet but we didn't have to scream to converse. The menu is short but creative. They presented a little 'amuse bouche' when we sat down, which was a little tiny spoon with a little tiny quail egg with smoked trout pureed with the yolk, delish (smoking is good for food!), and a shot glass of cauliflower soup. I had the 'Croque Madam' appetizer which is a little sandwich of grilled buttered bread with prosciuto and tuna in the middle and a little tiny quail egg on top, melts in the mouth! And frankly, buttered grilled bread makes everything better. My main course was duck breast with a quinoa and mushroom, with butternut squash and a whiskey sauce smeared on the plate, quite prettily. The breast was cooked to perfection. Dessert was a lime cream pie and beignets with chocolate sauce, both presented very attractively. The service was attentive but not cloying. Glasses were always filled (but not overly so) and I noted that a group of three were seated at a table set with 3 chairs not four. With the check came a little mini banana cupcake with chocolate frosting for each of us. Nice touch. I rolled out of there feeling very satisfied but not overly stuffed. Definitely worth it for an occasion that calls for a nice meal.

Bloomin' succulent

This thing is over 4' tall, started life about 1' tall. No idea what it is. I had to take the pic sideways for it to fit. There are little white flowers at the top.