iPhone 4S Camera Review, Chinese Food & Company Headcount Reduction

For regular readers, I apologize for repeatedly lamenting about the quality of my past phone's camera, but what really puts things in perspective is using the new one in my iPhone 4S.  All photos used in this post were taken with my new phone's camera without any retouching or editing and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed.  They are among the first 20 or so pictures I have taken with it and so in addition to being unfamiliar with this new to me piece of equipment and the fact that they are simply camera phone pictures, I am quite happy.

The Chinese restaurant in the village where I work is frequently visited by coworkers.  On my last visit, my boss commented on the figurine below and how the swaying, smiling head bobbing back and forth makes her laugh.  Now I will think of her every time I see it.

For a split second I worried what the staff would think of me for walking over to take the picture and just as quickly, my worries ended.

Something about tea...it truly seems to feel healing, it is so warming on a cold winter's day and certainly seems to be a requirement with Chinese food.  Growing up Chinese tea was always brown and bitter, but now it just seems warmer in flavor and healing somehow.

The scallion pancake - something I only learned about in the last four years.  The first one I ever had was also at this restaurant.  I love the lightness, crispness and just a light oniony flavor.  If the Chinese menu could be thought to have a snack food, this would be it.
 

I love, love, love being a regular.  The crowd always welcomed Norm to the bar in Cheers by all collectively calling out his name.  I know I am a regular because the waitress always brings me a spoon and an extra napkin before I order.  Someday, if I ever switch my order, everyone will be very confused.  For now, I need the spoon to eat my rice noodles as if they were Italian pasta.  I twirl with my fork against the bowl of the spoon.  I wonder if they think me cute, eccentric, odd or just not understanding of the Chinese culture.  If I ordered most anything else I would eat it with chop sticks.

My lunch partner is vegetarian and also now known as a "regular" as she orders the General Tsao's Tofu.

I happily snap away with my camera phone and am quite please with the results.  My shrimp with rice noodles are amazingly delicious and I am happy to see minimal scrambled egg in the mix.  Something about the combination I don't like - not sure what or why.

We talk about work, potential company reduction in head count, an announcement and meeting just 2 weeks before Christmas and this is my fortune -
 

One day at a time.  Each day I am Fed Well.  Every day I try to be thankful and appreciative.  In this moment, right now, everything is fabulous and really, what more could you want?

Snowman Repairwork

I love Sundays.  Let me say that again with more feeling, I LOVE Sundays!  What is it about Sunday? Sleeping a little later?  Moving a little slower?  Only doing what you REALLY want to do?

Taking the time to prepare the breakfast you really want...

Two eggs with left-over Italian bread toast gently smeared with butter for dipping.  I have the protein I think I need to begin the task I have chosen for the day.

Several years ago (five at least) I bought a 5'6" snowman that was retailing for $400.  No, I did not pay that price.  I waited until after Christmas and paid a portion of the original price.  

The Snowman is a little bit big, a little bit awkward, but has become a vital part of our holiday decorating.  Unfortunately, because I love him so much and because he is a bit of a challenge to lug around and store, he ends up exposed to the winter elements of the North East for a little bit longer than he should be - about 2 months total to be honest.

He has suffered some damage at the hands of the elements, but in addition, he fell over while being stored in a portable shelter style garage during Hurricane Sandy.  He suffered a broken nose and some serious chipping.

I purchase some paint and a clear UV spray protector and decide I need more protein for lunch before tackling my big repair job.

Chicken, celery, onion and mayonnaise topped with Craisins over a bed of lettuce on toasted double protein bread.  Should be solid energy.

I am not especially crafty, but am willing to do what I think needs to be done.  For the Snowman!

I brush away loose bits of material and dirt before I begin.  I decide to start at the top using the black first.  I touch up the hat and buttons.  

Next is the green in the holly on the hat, the wreath and some holly at the base.  The color is not exact so I end up covering all green.

New blue for the eyes, the orange of the carrot nose and finally the red of the scarf and mittens.  I bought Brilliant Red, but Snowman seems to have originally been something in the cranberry/maroon family.  I have to make sure to really cover the red well and in fact, it needs two coats.

 

I thought that would be enough.  However, I realize just how dirty and dingy the white looks, the silver and gold of the present he holds are chipped.  

The Snowman has to wait to be completed the next day after purchasing more paint.  Here are the current results...

Not bad.  Not bad.  

He still has to be sprayed and this year he will stand in a place of honor... on the covered front porch.

Holiday Events - Holiday Snacks - Self Control?

This may be the first time I was at an event and did not sample the food.  Part of my life includes a weekly community column for an independently owned newspaper and I love it.  

I have the opportunity to attend events, get behind the scenes details and meet the wonderful people organizing or perhaps performing.

This past Saturday night in a nearby small town a Toys for Tots Pasta Dinner was held at the same time as a winter art show.  The artists donated their hanging fees to the Toys for Tots cause (cash donations are used to buy gifts for the age least likely represented with gifts - usually teens).  

The pasta dinner side of the event included a buffet of pasta, salad and bread served by a teen community service group.

Dessert was found on the art show side and included some usually irresistible sweets - chocolate covered strawberries.  I have a huge soft spot for these fancy fruits!  But, alas, I was working and had to pass.  So difficult!

And then a fabulous holiday serving dish caught my eye...one that I own and love!

Isn't he cute???

Also available on the holiday dessert buffet - yes, you guessed it - COOKIES!

Several platters, several varieties and I was able to use a vast reserve of self-control and walk away.  Somehow.

Hours later, at home, I wrote about the amazing event with my favorite ceramic cup of hot tea and yes, a chocolate chip cookie.

Community events, a job I love, being with people who care, including my husband, and a sweet bite all leave me feeling Fed Well in the middle of the holiday season!

Sort of Like Alice in Wonderland... the Office Holiday Party

Mt. Fuji

The Office Holiday Party.

Immediate thoughts may be concerns regarding drunken foolish behavior or boring small talk.  For the last almost 5 years I have been celebrating the holiday season with a vast array of multi-cultural co-workers at Mt. Fuji in Hillburn, New York.

After driving up the side of a mountain, guests are directed to the lower level dining room which features walls of windows overlooking the surrounding area.  The dining room is aptly named, "The Views."

Some of the unique aspects of our holiday party include the same D.J. for years.  He really knows people by name.  Good or bad - discuss.

The venue is quite Asian in decor and theme.  However, we seem to fight against what would seem natural by having a decidedly American menu.  Appetizers/hors d'oeuvres include California and Avocado Rolls, cheese and crackers, assorted vegetables with dip, spring rolls but also "pigs in a blanket," fried ravioli, mini quiches, and my favorite this year, stuffed clams topped with BACON.

Bacon is a word that simply must be exclaimed with excitement and passion.  It screams out in capital letters and demands attention.

The company generously offers beer, wine and soda or juice.  The wines I like are generally not included in this kind of setting (Moscatto or Reisling) and I am not a snob by any means, but simply don't like most wine.  I have had Plum Wine and a coworker and I talk this fact over before she checks to see if it is among the offered selections.  It is!

With about a 50 mile ride home, we each decide it may be best to simply split the glass and so she pours half into my coffee cup.  I am reminded of Alice in Wonderland for some reason and want to tie a "Drink Me" tag to the handle.

It also feels sort of closet-like behavior to drink alcohol from a cup but most of this celebration seems slightly off kilter.

The DJ randomly calls tables by number to the buffet.  Our choices include penne a la vodka, shredded beef,  chicken Marsala, roasted potatoes, salmon Teriyaki, cold sesame noodles, tomato and mozzarella salad.  Asian themed selections? Curiouser and curiouser.

The dessert buffet is set up.  Cakes - red velvet, chocolate, cheesecake, carrot...tarts of fruits and nuts.

The small sweet treats don't really need a tag to instruct, "Eat me," but one can still feel the presence of Lewis Carroll somehow...

Another year, another holiday party, but still managing to feel quite Fed Well when talking it over with some wonderful coworkers.

Koto Japanese Lunch and the Killer Cone

One of my best coworker buddies and I were in a bit of a lunch rut and our workplace cafeteria was offering something that neither of us were interested in so we decided on the Koto Japanese restaurant.  We don't typically eat here often because upper management tends to lunch in this small space, thus restricting our conversation to non-work related issues.

On this day, we took a chance and though we were seated right next to a department Director and manager, we stayed in our listening space (imagine the scene in Dirty Dancing where Jennifer Grey's character is taught by Patrick Swayze the definition of her dance space) and they stayed in their listening space.

The tea is wonderfully fragrant and piping hot!

Many of the regulars seem to arrive, seat themselves and I don't think I see or hear many of them order.  Their food seems to simply magically appear in front of them.

We are a bit restless and up to try something new to us so the shrimp skewers are a perfect appetizer choice.  The outside of the shrimp are crisp with a soft and sweet center.  They are bathed in a terikyaki glaze and alternated with scallion/green onion on the skewer.

With a fairly long list of lunch choices including sushi, sashimi, Bento boxes and other items, we decide on rolls.

 

I enjoy the simple and traditional California roll.

The ingredients are obviously fresh, the avocado is especially creamy and sweet.  I watched while they were prepared and smiled at the special silver box which contained the seaweed wrappers.  Food as art and ceremony can never be a bad thing.

We walk back to work and this is what we noticed in our employee parking lot:

Not sure why, but I found this hilarious.  How long had the driver had the orange cone wedged under the vehicle?  Turns out the driver had asked security if someone could help remove it.  My coworker and I find this hysterical as we see a member of the Facility Team go out to see if he can remove the offending orange cone.

A simple day at work and a lunch adventure, a good laugh and I am feeling Fed Well.

Meeting a Friend at Marcellos and Confirming I need a New Cell Phone

Marcello's Ristorante - Suffern, NY

We make friends in settings such as school and work and then when life shifts and we are no longer in the same circumstances we sometimes lose touch but mostly the feelings of friendship remain.  *Luckily, we now live in an age that may allow a simple Google search to put us back in touch or in this case Facebook.

*In this case the ability to find and be found via social media has a happy ending.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

I have reconnected with a friend from high school and though we were never "BFFs" I think we always enjoyed each other's company - ok and truth be known, smokers in high school had some kind of inexplicable bond.  I gave up the stinky smoking years ago, but I am happy to have found a long lost friend.

The two of us live far enough away from each other that meeting in a restaurant after work made the most sense since I work a mere 10 - 15 minutes from her job and so Marcello's is our restaurant of reunion.

After listening to the enticing specials, meeting and talking with Marcello himself, our orders are placed.  For me, the roast vegetable soup which was pureed veggies including squash with a toast round floating in the center with melted cheese.  My friend started with an appetizer of ricotta cheese wrapped in mozzarella (Burrata) over a bed of arugula and mushrooms.

Stories are shared, the plates are cleared and our entrees arrive.  No rushed feeling and no feelings of being ignored - the pace is enjoyable and suits our social agenda.

For me, the braised short rib stuffed ravioli with "hand picked mushrooms from the Catskills."  I smiled inside as I live in the Catskill area and find it funny when my area is a selling point for a meal that is prepared about one hour away.

My friend's meal was dark meat chicken with a small side of greens, perhaps spinach, and what looked to be lovely and crispy shoestring fries.

I took photos with my phone of my soup as well as both of our entrees and the results were a disaster.  I knew I needed a new phone and though I had been to the cell phone "store", I had been given so much information I hesitate to decide.  Today, I am fairly sure I will be reviewing the iphone once more as it has jumped to the top of the list.  In fact, it was among the topics of discussion over dinner.

Another unexpected treat during our meal was the annual parade complete with Santa Claus.  The lights and sirens from firetrucks filled the dining room and though a small percentage of the diners were interested in Santa, everyone loves a parade, right?

The plates are again cleared and we return to our life sharing.  My companion chooses the chocolate flourless cake.

I select the lemon tart.

It was a lovely meal indeed.  We feel Fed Well and caught up, a hug and the promise of another meal soon with maybe a few more guests at the table.  I am looking forward to it.

Holidays at the Office and a Fabulous Handmade Chocolate Gift Box

Office holiday traditions can be tricky to see the least.  At my current day job we have decided that if someone wants to celebrate their birthday, they are responsible for bringing a snack to share with the group. Some one's feelings were horribly hurt in the past when no one brought her a cake so this may seem strange, but at least no one's special day is forgotten.  As an added bonus, since it is your birthday, you get to pick the treat.  Some bring in bagels or even fruit instead of cake.

So for the December holidays, many choose to bring a special food item to share.  The first to arrive was this beautiful box of handmade goodies.

These yummy chocolate works of art are created by the giver's niece and are also available to buy/order.

It was such a feast for the eyes, I scooped the box away and put it on my desk to photograph before it could be disturbed.  Problem was, the giver had no idea what happened and thought someone ran off with her group gift.  :) 

Luckily once she figured out it was me, she understood my need to photograph it for Fed Well.

With all the time co-workers spend together it is comforting to know we are able to not only work together, but enjoy a few bites of culinary joy as well and feel Fed Well in the workplace.