Authentic Panda Express

The subject of Chinese food came up when talking to a Jewish friend today.  We were talking about his standing reservation with his local Chinese restaurant for dinner on Christmas day.  He does not have to call, they just know they will show up.  They happens to be the members of his temple.  He shoots out an email invitation and they all come.  It's not an e-vite, but just a simple email stating they will meet at 6pm.  They know where to go.

Mental Floss has an article on the history of Jews and Chinese food:  http://mentalfloss.com/article/521724/fascinating-history-behind-why-jewish-families-eat-chinese-food-christmas

That reminds me of Chop Suey, Egg Foo Young, Chinese Chicken Salad and Panda Express.  Every time I pass a Panda Express, I think of my daughter in law.  Her family has deep roots in Taiwan.  She was born a Texan, but both her parents are from Taiwan.  Every time I mention Panda Express as a destination, she has a fit.  For some reason, she does not consider it Chinese.  I consider it decent food after 9pm when everything else is closed.  OK, I admit their soy sauce is suspect, but rice and noodles as fast food?   In Torrance?  Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing one in Alhambra.

I was originally going to take a photo at a Panda Express at each city we visit across the country and send it to her, but thought better of ticking off the mother of my Grand kids.  So Panda remains in the category of Chop Suey, Egg Foo Young, Chinese Chicken Salad, Pakkai, and other terms that sound Chinese, but are truly Americanized characterizations.  I'm getting hungry and may need to sneak out to visit PE before they come to town.

Markers in Life

Music is often the most common jogger of our memories.  I can listen to a song and remember a certain time of my life.  The Classic IV songs bring me back to junior high school.  Certain songs from 3 Dog Night and Tommy James take me back to the first summer I moved to Vancouver Wa.  Crystal Blue Persuasion will kick in strong emotional memories.

I don't spend a lot of time reminiscing about chemo therapy.  Those are memories I would rather ignore (they somehow can't be erased).  But as I was channel surfing (it's two in the morning) I came across a news station displaying their daily weather report with their distinctive tune in the background.  I use to watch that news channel late into the morning, laying in bed feeling like yuck. The still of the night, silent other than the sound of the tv, the isolation of being in a room by myself. The tune just hit a nerve and sent a chill down my spine.  It was one of those things that make your body shudder involuntarily.  I actually felt the yuck for a moment during the shudder.

This was the second reminder this week.  I came into contact by chance, someone who went through a similar experience with colon cancer during the same time as I did.  When he shared his experience, there was an instant bond of understanding.  The surgery, the chemo and it's after affects.  That was the first time for me and I'm not sure how to process it.

Our lives are unique, as unique as our personalities that we are created and born with.  At this stage of my life, it just makes me wonder why.

A Bit Less Sharp

It's been some time since my last post.  It is not due to the lack of material, but more a victim of my recovery.  I have posted this before, my days activities are restricted to waking up, going to work, napping at lunch, work, come home and nap, eat, watch TV and sleep.  Saturdays are sleeping in late, running errands, napping, dinner, TV and sleep.  Sundays are a little better.

My latest visit to the oncologist went fairly well.  Cancer has not returned and everything kind of looks OK.  Further blood tests are being evaluated to ensure nothing else is going on.  I'm still not back to normal, (Gayle still doesn't think I was ever normal), it is more of an issue of establishing the new normal.

 I was doing what the Drs. said not to do and that is check the Internet to confirm the after affects of Chemo therapy and I found this that confirms Gayle's suspicions.

CHEMO BRAIN

It is estimated that one in five people who take chemotherapy for cancer experience “chemo-brain.” This is a side effect described as a hazy experience with symptoms such as forgetfulness, difficulty finding the right words and difficulty multi-tasking or concentrating. Some regain mental clarity over time, others remain a bit less sharp.

PS:  We are proud to announce Jordan passed the California Bar.  He is now a legal lawyer (?)