I went to Brighton Beach to help to set up tables for a seder meal. The Senior Center is a few hundreds yards from the Ocean. See photo.
March 31, 2009
March 30, 2009
Dorot : Passover delivery
I had registered on line with Dorot to do a Passover package delivery. I did it yesterday morning. The idea is to give a few kasher groceries at the occasion of the Jewish Passover Holiday to an elderly person and spend about an hour with him/her. I was matched with a gentleman who could speak a bit of French. B. turned to be a 96 years old charming gentleman. He said that I have a fascinating life !
American Swing
Yesterday was a funny day weather wise so I decided to go to see a movie. I went to the 1st show after lunch. And it was "American Swing" a documentary about Plato's Retreat, a famous night club in the 70's. Much more than a DJ's place... A wild rendez-vous for the free spirit of the 70's... For more see :
http://www.quadcinema.com/#483
http://www.discomusic.com/clubs-more/3415_0_6_0_C/
http://www.quadcinema.com/#483
http://www.discomusic.com/clubs-more/3415_0_6_0_C/
March 27, 2009
Chicken in a Mustard and Creme Fraîche Sauce
4 skinless chicken breat fillets
2 cloves garlic
4-6 fresh tarragon sprigs (or the dried stuff)
25 g (1 oz) butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
75 ml (3 fl oz) dry white wine
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 x 200 g tub crème fraîche
salt and freshly milled pepper
Serves 4
Preparation time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 30 minutes
1/ Cut each chicken breast fillet into about 4 chunky pieces. Peel and crush the garlic. Strip the tarragon leaves from their stems and coarsely chop sufficient to make 2 good tablespoons (or get it out from the dried stuff bottle)
2/ Heat the butter and oil in a large 25 cm (10 inch) frying pan (with a lid), add the chicken pieces and turn to seal and brown them - about 5 minutes.
3/ Add the crushed garlic and stir for a moment. Pour in the white wine and the chopped tarragon (or the dried stuff). Bring to a simmer, cover with the pan lid and cook gently for about 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
4/ Remove the pan lid. Stir in the mustard, crème fraîche and a seasoning of salt and freshly milled pepper. Bring back to the boil, stirring. Serve.
2 cloves garlic
4-6 fresh tarragon sprigs (or the dried stuff)
25 g (1 oz) butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
75 ml (3 fl oz) dry white wine
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 x 200 g tub crème fraîche
salt and freshly milled pepper
Serves 4
Preparation time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 30 minutes
1/ Cut each chicken breast fillet into about 4 chunky pieces. Peel and crush the garlic. Strip the tarragon leaves from their stems and coarsely chop sufficient to make 2 good tablespoons (or get it out from the dried stuff bottle)
2/ Heat the butter and oil in a large 25 cm (10 inch) frying pan (with a lid), add the chicken pieces and turn to seal and brown them - about 5 minutes.
3/ Add the crushed garlic and stir for a moment. Pour in the white wine and the chopped tarragon (or the dried stuff). Bring to a simmer, cover with the pan lid and cook gently for about 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
4/ Remove the pan lid. Stir in the mustard, crème fraîche and a seasoning of salt and freshly milled pepper. Bring back to the boil, stirring. Serve.
March 26, 2009
Reading Lolita in Tehran, A memoir in books by Aznar Nafisi
For the Book Club in Montpellier. A true story : Aznar Nafisi was a teacher of English and American literature in Iran. After we was banished from University because she refused to weir the veil ,she heldd a private and secrete class at her home where she was discussing forbidden books by the regime with girls who had to live with repression all the time. It is a very interesting book. How literature can help to unravel personal problems.
Aznar Nafsi now lives in the States.
Aznar Nafsi now lives in the States.
Hedda Gabler
Last Saturday I was ushering again. This time at a bigger place : The American Airlines Theater. Hedda Gabler is a Norwegian play by Henrik Isben. Drama set in the 1800's. The acting was very good. However it is this sort of story which leaves you with more questions over your head that you were expecting for.
March 24, 2009
After Philadelphia Whashington DC
I spent last Friday in Philadelphia. I felt a bit disorientated when I jumped out from the station, looking for a City Center. I quickly realised that the more interesting part - for history and architecture - was further north in the "Historic Center". And it is truly worth visiting.
In the meantime I received an email from a friend in France to let me know he was having a few days vacation in Washington DC. So I went on the train again. I was glad to see again DC. Through my friend I met very nice & friendly people too.
In the meantime I received an email from a friend in France to let me know he was having a few days vacation in Washington DC. So I went on the train again. I was glad to see again DC. Through my friend I met very nice & friendly people too.
March 23, 2009
March 20, 2009
March 18, 2009
Chelsea Enclave
I have this book called "New York Enclaves" written and illustrated by William H. Hemp and published by Clarkson Potter. A nice opportunity to do some tourism off the beaten track. However I didn't go to see the oldest house in Chelsea as - being I admit a bit chattered by a lot of walking round the blocks (and believe me they are huge) - I misplaced this historic place and I thought it had been replaced by a building under construction opposite 401 West 21st. Ouch !
Hairdresser's Method
I asked to be a bit more blond... What they do down here is to tie a very thin plastic and elastic hat on your head and then with a needle do holes in it and pull your hair. And then they dye your hair.
The photo "After" was taken on West 4th St 8th Av in front of a restaurant called "Whashington Square". I'm holding a "Book in Bar" (English book shop in Montpellier) bag as the manageress of this very nice tea-room-boutique kindly asked me and A.P. said she will display it in the shop.
The photo "After" was taken on West 4th St 8th Av in front of a restaurant called "Whashington Square". I'm holding a "Book in Bar" (English book shop in Montpellier) bag as the manageress of this very nice tea-room-boutique kindly asked me and A.P. said she will display it in the shop.
March 16, 2009
Back in Brooklyn
Journey back was right the opposite than the way in. We had a big bus for only 4 passengers.
March 15, 2009
No it isn't the moon
We went for a walk a few miles away from State College. Along the shore of a lake where there are some wind surfing people.
March 14, 2009
Happy Hour and Korean Restaurant
Last night we met up with some of H's friends in a quite big bar-restaurant to enjoy the "Happy Hour" drinks. There was a bar built around a concert piano. We then went - 4 of us - to a Korean restaurant.
State College History
State College is right in the middle of Pensylvania state. University was first created in the years 1850s. The story goes that they chose this spot in the middle of nowhere so that students wouldn't get distracted from their studies. Now the city welcomes every year approximately 40 000 students. Most of the streets and avenues bear the names of the former presidents of the university.
March 13, 2009
Chinese Bus
I am in State College in Pensylvania to visit a friend I met in Nimes in 2004. To get there I took a bus from China Town . The office is upside down due to repairs so the waiting room is on the pavement. At 12:30 we all got aboard a mini bus. We were 13 passengers plus the luggage and had to squeeze like sardines in a box.
We only made one stop to refuel with gaz and empty our bladers. Motorway all the way. The first part of the journey was pretty boring countryside but then it became more hilly and varied. It took 4 and a half hours and the final stop was - there isn`t any China Town in State College - by a Chinese restaurant in a shopping mall.
We only made one stop to refuel with gaz and empty our bladers. Motorway all the way. The first part of the journey was pretty boring countryside but then it became more hilly and varied. It took 4 and a half hours and the final stop was - there isn`t any China Town in State College - by a Chinese restaurant in a shopping mall.
March 12, 2009
JASA job (3)
After having realised that I'm leaving at the end of April, the JASA's HR Volunteer person gave me the contact of the director of their Day Centre in Williamsburg. I went to meet him and I actually started this morning a weekly activity : to lead a discussion group on the Current Affairs. I'm supposed to speak to them in Spanish too but hopefully some participants were able to give me a hand there.
March 11, 2009
Parcel Story (2)
Well would you believe it ? I received the parcel this morning ! The French Post Office have a service called "colissimo". From "colis" parcel in French and the Italian ending "simo" to signify that an adjective becomes a superlative. You know like in "alegrissimo" or "fortissimo". In this instance it was for "pianissimo".
By the way don't see any link with the previous photo. It's just that L. and I we held our 2d Spanish-French exchange in the food concourse station.
By the way don't see any link with the previous photo. It's just that L. and I we held our 2d Spanish-French exchange in the food concourse station.
March 10, 2009
What do I do with my days ?
This this the question. Or is it ? First for those who never been in New York you have to realise that the distances are enormous and so one's spend a lot of time in the transports. When I wish / have to go "down town" it takes me at least 45 minutes to get in mid-town. And then I already have habits and favorite places for shopping... like this afternoon I went all the way to 74th St / Broadway i.e 2 hours transportation.
I usually stay at home in the morning to work on my computer, to get organised. I make a point to leave for wherever no later than 1:30 p.m. Come back around 6, do my singing practise, have diner in 2 folds : my own light meal and then testing whatever my room-mates have been cooking. Have a chat with whoever is around. Work on my blog... And it's soon bed time...
Good night !
I usually stay at home in the morning to work on my computer, to get organised. I make a point to leave for wherever no later than 1:30 p.m. Come back around 6, do my singing practise, have diner in 2 folds : my own light meal and then testing whatever my room-mates have been cooking. Have a chat with whoever is around. Work on my blog... And it's soon bed time...
Good night !
March 09, 2009
Parcel Story (1)
A friend of mine sent me a parcel from Montpellier on the 4th February. With, among other things, winter clothes, songs lyrics, French Help Services leaflets... And to this day I'm still expecting this box...
To keep a long story short I went several times at the local post office with the French tracking # and every time they said "Sorry sir, it's not in our system yet" They adviced me to phone up a special # where they track the mail. So did I. Same line : "Sorry sir, it's not in our system yet" I went back to the post office and this time I spoke with a supervisor. He very patiently explained to me that it was the fault of the tracking # and that I should ask the sender to investigate. Right. Sherlock Holmes is not available. My friend the sender filled up a complain form and following that the French Post Office is going to ask the American Post Office what is their track # . Because they change the # to put it in their system you see... Ah ! That's explain everything...
To be followed...
To keep a long story short I went several times at the local post office with the French tracking # and every time they said "Sorry sir, it's not in our system yet" They adviced me to phone up a special # where they track the mail. So did I. Same line : "Sorry sir, it's not in our system yet" I went back to the post office and this time I spoke with a supervisor. He very patiently explained to me that it was the fault of the tracking # and that I should ask the sender to investigate. Right. Sherlock Holmes is not available. My friend the sender filled up a complain form and following that the French Post Office is going to ask the American Post Office what is their track # . Because they change the # to put it in their system you see... Ah ! That's explain everything...
To be followed...
Brooklyn Jazz
Yesterday afternoon I went to a Jazz Session. It was held in honor of a Jazz musician who has been ill for sometimes and therefore needs a bit of support. There was a cold buffet. Very nice and cool atmosphere. Excellent music.
March 07, 2009
March 06, 2009
Classical music in the Subway
Classical concert right in the middle of a subway platform. As I was there someone asked the pianist how did he got his instrument there ? By the elevator answered back the entertainer. Well of course !
Chocolate and Crème Fraîche Mousse
150 g (5 oz) plain chocolate
15 g (1/2 oz) unsalted butter
3 eggs
1 x 200 g tub crème fraîche
Serves 4
1/ Break the chocolate into a mixing bowl and add the butter. Set over a saucepan of hot water (off the heat) and stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted. Remove the bowl from the heat.
2/ Separate the eggs, cracking the whites into a second bowl and stirring the yolks into the milted chocolate one at a time. Add the crème fraîche and stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3/ Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into the chocolate mixture. Pour into 4 individual ramekin dishes (or a single bowl) and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight until the mixture is firm. Shaved chocolate on sliced stawberries makes a pretty decoration if you want to add something.
15 g (1/2 oz) unsalted butter
3 eggs
1 x 200 g tub crème fraîche
Serves 4
1/ Break the chocolate into a mixing bowl and add the butter. Set over a saucepan of hot water (off the heat) and stir occasionally until the chocolate has melted. Remove the bowl from the heat.
2/ Separate the eggs, cracking the whites into a second bowl and stirring the yolks into the milted chocolate one at a time. Add the crème fraîche and stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3/ Whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks and fold into the chocolate mixture. Pour into 4 individual ramekin dishes (or a single bowl) and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight until the mixture is firm. Shaved chocolate on sliced stawberries makes a pretty decoration if you want to add something.
Spanish-French Exchange
I posted an ad on Craiglist offering to do a Spanish-French Exchange conversation. I had an answer from L. a young man from Venezuela. We met up this afternoon. L. speaks reasonably good French and I definitively need to brush up my Spanish. In New York a lot of people speak Spanish and all the public services - including on the phone - have a Spanish language option.
March 05, 2009
The Temple of Food
As one of my reader says I just follow my nose and today I came across : http://www.balduccis.com/. On 8th Av. @ 14th St. It used to be a bank and the building itself is quite impressive. They have everything including a very nice cheeses counter. It is worth at least to have a look at as it is quite expensive.
March 04, 2009
My cinema
I walked by a cinema by chance. And I think that's going to be where I'm going to enjoy movies. (see :http://www.quadcinema.com/) It's a small place, they only have 4 screens and they play mainly American films but off the main stream.
Vegetarian Café in the Village
I found this place soooo cool (see : http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/snice/) And they have a nice selection of teas which is not so obvious in New York. I had one called "Iron Goddess of Mercy". All sort of freshly made food and sandwiches. When you order something they take down your 1st name and then shout it down in the room to serve it to you. They reserve the small tables for non computers users. The wireless addicts have to share the communal tables.
March 03, 2009
JASA job (2)
I was going to start tomorrow leading a poetry group in Coney Island. Now they don't need me until next month.
Just Anybody
I went back to the French Institute today to see a film (see :http://www.fiaf.org/calendar/calendar.asp?vw=3&yy=2009&mm=3&dd=3) and I left them some French Help Services leaflets. They were quite receptive actually.
March 02, 2009
Snow Day Holiday
When we got up this morning there was about 12 inches of snow all over. I had to go to the post office and it was quite interesting to see how people dealt with it. Everyone is supposed to shovel in front of one's house... well nearly everyone does... except in front of our house. R. put the shovel out and we all saw it and thought : "oh that's a nice shovel". R. went a bit mad at us tonight and did it.
I saw as well a man spreading salt like he was feeding the birds.
Anyway a long story to say that the children had the day off from school and could enjoy the snow in the parks.
I saw as well a man spreading salt like he was feeding the birds.
Anyway a long story to say that the children had the day off from school and could enjoy the snow in the parks.
March 01, 2009
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