I am a bit astrology buff. I don't go out of my way to read them (them being horoscopes in upstanding publications like Star) every day or anything, but, I find the whole concept interesting and compelling. I imagine it is because horoscopes offer hope for future good luck windfalls while at the same time providing a scapegoat for bad luck, bad decisions and bad stuff in general (yes, it must be that my chi was suffering from the full moon's tidal influence and that is what is preventing me from losing 20 pounds!).
I feel particularly lucky with western-based astrology. I am an Aries-Taurus cusp. Depending on what horoscope you read, I am sometimes an Aries (mostly in Australia) and sometimes a Taurus (most often in the US) . This blissful combination has ensured that I am an aggressive, stubborn, control-freakish individual who "rams" my way in to my goals and who, although has a tendency to overindulge in all things, is experience-oriented, creative and artistic with a sheer will to succeed. I like to think it means that I am a Scarlett O'Hara-esque (although, hopefully less spiteful) individual donning Birkenstocks (or maybe running shoes...) that are firmly-planted to my soap-box-of-current-choice.
It also means that I get to read both horoscopes and pick which one I like best on any given day.
And, when I don't like either my Arien or Taurean choices of the day, I turn eastward to the land of rats, pigs and the other animal representatives found on the local Chinese restaurant placemats (usually red). Recently, a friend sent me a link to an online version of the placemat (which was notably grease-free to boot), and I had some good time to become aquainted with my inner fire dragon. Raaarh (I imagine that to be the sound of a fire dragon anyway).
Enter the Dragon
Dragons are witty, enthusiastic, popular, intelligent and gifted yet are also perfectionists. (Well, gee, thank you. Thank you very much.)
Positive Traits
vibrant (yes! prior to alcohol anyways...), magnanimous (sure), charismatic (yep), principled (sometimes), self-sufficient (most times), discriminating (to a degree), compelling (I'd like to think so), sentimental (tooooo much so), accomplished (well, trying), noble-hearted (to a fault!), healthy (working on it...) and prodigiously shrewd (well, I have beat my husband at trivia the last two times. Interpret as you will.)
vibrant (yes! prior to alcohol anyways...), magnanimous (sure), charismatic (yep), principled (sometimes), self-sufficient (most times), discriminating (to a degree), compelling (I'd like to think so), sentimental (tooooo much so), accomplished (well, trying), noble-hearted (to a fault!), healthy (working on it...) and prodigiously shrewd (well, I have beat my husband at trivia the last two times. Interpret as you will.)
Negative Traits
bombastic (well, who came up with that word anyhow? Maybe they could have just called it "being an arrogant ass" to be less "bombastic" about it!), dissatisfied (or, shall we say, searching to improve?), demanding (what is demanding about having expectations?), opinionated (intelligent assertion), mawkish (hormones people, hormones!), egocentric (okay...read the last post. Mr. Ego is under control. Get off my ass already.), defensive (whatever), power-mad (how about "control under pressure"?), foolhardy (although it may appear that way, I actually do think things through), willful (given) and pompous (now, that is just rude).
bombastic (well, who came up with that word anyhow? Maybe they could have just called it "being an arrogant ass" to be less "bombastic" about it!), dissatisfied (or, shall we say, searching to improve?), demanding (what is demanding about having expectations?), opinionated (intelligent assertion), mawkish (hormones people, hormones!), egocentric (okay...read the last post. Mr. Ego is under control. Get off my ass already.), defensive (whatever), power-mad (how about "control under pressure"?), foolhardy (although it may appear that way, I actually do think things through), willful (given) and pompous (now, that is just rude).
General Description of All Dragons (Not to be confused with stereotyping)
The key to the Dragon personality is that Dragons are the free spirits of the Zodiac (perfect for moving half-way around the world!). Rules and regulations are made for other people (clearly) and restrictions blow out the creative spark that is ready to flame into life (I am still waiting for my "spark" to "flame". Flame little spark, FLAME!). The Dragon is a beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant (Aww. Well, shucks. Thanks). An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and utterly irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale - big ideas, ornate gestures, extreme ambitions (why else would I bother?). However, this behavior is natural and isn't meant for show (oh...). Because they are confident and fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful (hopefully this does not relate to things such as financial management, diets or public speaking). Dragons usually make it to the top (I think I will leave this one alone...). However, Dragon people need to be aware of their natures (okay). Too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled (ambition can be a bitch, my friends.). Even though they are willing to aid when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others (I am getting over this one. Help as you see fit!). Dragons' generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart (well, la dee dah! Myers-Briggs totally makes sense now).
The Fire Dragon is a powerful force to be reckoned with (damn straight!). This is a Dragon doubled! The Fire Dragon can move from calm and collected to combustible in a matter of seconds (okay. I might have a bit of temper that I blame on genetics). In some ways the Fire Dragon is his or her own worst enemy (true). These Dragons cannot help feeling they are valuable and all-knowing (well, you can't hide the truth!). When they are right their vehemence and vigor is an asset to the cause, and though they value objectivity, they do not always employ the best decision-making measures, and sometimes jump to the wrong conclusion (Yes. Alright. I am a little bit of a conclusion-jumper. It saves time!). They also suffer from recklessness and quick tempers (didn't we cover this already?). Yet, when they do keep their temper, emotions, and rivaling spirit under control, they emanate a commanding influence on other people (See? Not bad at all. Commanding influencer sounds bombastically magnanimous to me!).
The key to the Dragon personality is that Dragons are the free spirits of the Zodiac (perfect for moving half-way around the world!). Rules and regulations are made for other people (clearly) and restrictions blow out the creative spark that is ready to flame into life (I am still waiting for my "spark" to "flame". Flame little spark, FLAME!). The Dragon is a beautiful creature, colorful and flamboyant (Aww. Well, shucks. Thanks). An extroverted bundle of energy, gifted and utterly irrepressible, everything Dragons do is on a grand scale - big ideas, ornate gestures, extreme ambitions (why else would I bother?). However, this behavior is natural and isn't meant for show (oh...). Because they are confident and fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful (hopefully this does not relate to things such as financial management, diets or public speaking). Dragons usually make it to the top (I think I will leave this one alone...). However, Dragon people need to be aware of their natures (okay). Too much enthusiasm can leave them tired and unfulfilled (ambition can be a bitch, my friends.). Even though they are willing to aid when necessary, their pride can often impede them from accepting the same kind of help from others (I am getting over this one. Help as you see fit!). Dragons' generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart (well, la dee dah! Myers-Briggs totally makes sense now).
The Fire Dragon is a powerful force to be reckoned with (damn straight!). This is a Dragon doubled! The Fire Dragon can move from calm and collected to combustible in a matter of seconds (okay. I might have a bit of temper that I blame on genetics). In some ways the Fire Dragon is his or her own worst enemy (true). These Dragons cannot help feeling they are valuable and all-knowing (well, you can't hide the truth!). When they are right their vehemence and vigor is an asset to the cause, and though they value objectivity, they do not always employ the best decision-making measures, and sometimes jump to the wrong conclusion (Yes. Alright. I am a little bit of a conclusion-jumper. It saves time!). They also suffer from recklessness and quick tempers (didn't we cover this already?). Yet, when they do keep their temper, emotions, and rivaling spirit under control, they emanate a commanding influence on other people (See? Not bad at all. Commanding influencer sounds bombastically magnanimous to me!).
As a side note, I find it interesting that dragons happen to be the only make believe character of the Chinese zodiac (no non-Harry-Potter-related dragon sightings the last I knew anyway). What is up with that? My whole persona is apparently based on a fictional (and destructive, I might add) character. Hmmmmm.
To be honest, I was not sure how to end this post. I was not sure how to tie it back to immigration and make it all relevant (because after all, it is immigration famousness that I am supposedly striving for!) to other posts. But, life has a funny way of defining itself for you in the mere act of experiencing it. And, I couldn't think of a better ending today than to tell you what my astrological references didn't tell me.
Astrology did not tell me that because I am impatient and because I was very, very, very hungry, that Kate and I would have lunch at Rocky Rococo's instead of a little downtown cafe.
Astrology did not tell me why on earth I felt the need to tell Kate that we should leave lunch now (literally mid-sentence) for no apparent reason.
Astrology did not tell me that Kate and I would narrowly miss (within a two minute window) of being directly behind a church that was about to explode, on the street my friend Patricia lives (which bears my surname), near the cafe we were going to eat at had I not be so so hungry, a mile away from my house.
Astrology did not tell me that Dolly would be running late meeting me at my house because her child overslept her afternoon nap which also saved her from being near the exploding church at that same time.
True Story.
And, that is what I consider a good luck windfall called timing.
Posting Recipe
I am a huge fan of rubs and marinades. I love them. I use them all the time. And, given the somewhat eastern influence of this post, I thought I would share some of my Asian-inspired favorites I have collected over the past few years.
Asian Dry Rub
4 tsp. dried basil
4 tsp. dried mint
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. paprika
1 and 1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Combine all ingredients and rub on dark meat chicken, strong flavored fish or tomatoes before grilling.
Miso Wet Rub
1/3 c. miso
1 tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
2 tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
Combine all ingredients with a whisk. Good on salmon, dark meat chicken, pork, tofu, or eggplant.
Asian Orange Marinade
1/4 jar orange marmalade (microwave in jar w/o lid for 30 seconds to soften up)
a few shakes of soy sauce to taste
few shakes powdered ginger
a clove minced garlic
Combine all ingredients. Pour over chicken, pork or salmon. Marinate a few hours(chicken and pork) and up to an hour (fish). Great on the grill or on a cedar plank in the oven. The orange zest caramelizes with heat and adds very nice flavor.
Vietnamese Marinade
5 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/4 c. vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves crushed
1 jalapeno, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 tbsp. fish sauce
2 tbsp. sugar
1 shallot, thinly sliced
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
I have only tried this on chicken. It has some decent warmth. I really love this one. Serve it with shredded carrot, onion, mint, cilantro, lettuce leaves etc...
Above recipes are adapted, modified, borrowed or downright stolen from Food&Wine, Rachael Ray and Cooking Light.
No comments:
Post a Comment