I feel so tired and exhausted somehow and can no longer focus (it's 2 am here).
However, the highlight of the day is that I've managed to make chicken smoor (semur ayam) and it tastes great :). I didn't use beef because it will take longer.
Okay, time to bed now...
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
to say no
A short conversation in the teleconference today:
B (from FAA): "Rhea, do you have any updates for the System Level Assessment?"
me: "Not for now."
B: "Well, I am aware that your end-of-semester is nearing..."
me: "Exactly."
It feels so good to be able to say No :). I used to try to always be an ideal "co-worker." Socially, I may not always try to please everybody but at works, sadly, yes. There are some points in life that you have to choose between your own sanity and others' happiness. The choice is pretty obvious, I guess.
MIT held its annual Spring picnic today. Overflowing food (sandwiches and wraps), fruits, snacks (chips, pop corns, cookies, brownies, muffins), drinks. Literally overflowing. We have grabbed our shares of lunch and dinner and numerous tea breaks, but they still have a lot more. The weather is great today; a bit chilly in the morning but was nice and sunny during the picnic. We sat on the grass in the Killian court. There was a small marching band playing The Phantom of the Opera (among others), a tiny lion dance (only two people underneath), and of course MIT Mascot Tim the Beaver.
My eyes are burning from too much reading and looking at computer screen...
B (from FAA): "Rhea, do you have any updates for the System Level Assessment?"
me: "Not for now."
B: "Well, I am aware that your end-of-semester is nearing..."
me: "Exactly."
It feels so good to be able to say No :). I used to try to always be an ideal "co-worker." Socially, I may not always try to please everybody but at works, sadly, yes. There are some points in life that you have to choose between your own sanity and others' happiness. The choice is pretty obvious, I guess.
MIT held its annual Spring picnic today. Overflowing food (sandwiches and wraps), fruits, snacks (chips, pop corns, cookies, brownies, muffins), drinks. Literally overflowing. We have grabbed our shares of lunch and dinner and numerous tea breaks, but they still have a lot more. The weather is great today; a bit chilly in the morning but was nice and sunny during the picnic. We sat on the grass in the Killian court. There was a small marching band playing The Phantom of the Opera (among others), a tiny lion dance (only two people underneath), and of course MIT Mascot Tim the Beaver.
My eyes are burning from too much reading and looking at computer screen...
Monday, May 05, 2008
read it, it's hilarious...
This is taken from The Tech. It has a column called "Ask a TA" in each edition, I don't know how it started though :). I seldom read this MIT publication; however, my friend showed me this article the other day and I found it hilarious....
A small list to help you better understand MIT terms (in case you're not familiar):
TA : Teaching Assistant (tutor/asdos)
Course VI: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MIT goes by number in everything)
Athena cluster: the name of internal computer cluster at MIT.
OK, here goes....
Dear Ask A TA,
How do I tell if my TA thinks I’m cute?
—Yearning to Know
Dear Yearning,
The reliable criteria for determining if a TA thinks you are cute are as follows. First determine if the TA in question is in fact your TA. If yes, then determine if your gender is compatible with your TA’s sexual orientation. If yes again, congratulations! Your TA thinks you are cute.
Why is this method so robust? Remember who your TAs are. Your TA is either a graduate_student@mit.edu, or an overachieving_undergraduate@mit.edu (which is saying a lot). When not TAing you, your TAs are either writing software, studying in preparation for the writing of software, or eating ramen noodles. This is not a lifestyle that facilitates the meeting of potential mates.
Now, consider your recitation section — a room full of young coeds, their eyes and ears fixed on your TA. This is the most attention your TA has gotten in quite a while. It’s flattering. And tremendously exciting. And some of these coeds are even so interested in spending time with the TA that they’ll seek out the TA outside of class. Sometimes this just means going to specified “office hours,” but at times it almost reaches the level of full-fledged stalking, with students constantly e-mailing, calling, and stopping by the TA’s place of work or home unannounced. For most people, this would be disturbing. But for your lonely hearted TA, this is probably the most exciting turn their social life has ever taken.
So, if your TA thinks that you are so cute, why doesn’t he make a move? Again, he isn’t just a TA, he is a TA@mit.edu. Why would you expect him to act any differently than anybody_else@mit.edu? Just like the rest of the MIT populace, he is shy and socially awkward. In fact, when talking about relationships, he’ll probably get nervous enough simply elaborating the relationship between impedance and frequency. A discussion about a real romantic relationship might make his poor little TAing heart explode. And then you’d definitely never find out what kind of questions will be on the final.
More importantly just like the rest of the MIT student body, he’s probably Course VI. As such, he’s most likely had this important TAing specification beaten into his skull — DO NOT hit on your students. It’s the cardinal rule of TAing and is specified as a user requirement of the TAship interface.
Now in regards to this forbidden attraction between you and your TA, the TA is presented with an interesting logical dilemma: the reason that you are interested in him is the same as the reason that your romance is forbidden. The classical solution to this game theory challenge is for both of you to wait until the semester is over to hook up. However, the logical basis of this solution is clearly flawed, and both you and your TA know it. Will he still be attractive when he no longer knows what is going to be on the final ahead of time? Seriously? I thought not. There is a very limited window of time in which you will find your TA cute. Your TA, though, will still find you cute long after he has marked off points for not showing work on the last problem of your final. So give it time. Wait until the end of the semester. Then, years later, if you are in dire relationship straits, send your ex-TA an e-mail and say you need to brush up on impedance over a romantic candle lit dinner. I guarantee that he will come down from the Athena cluster to join you. That is unless he is TAing another bunch of cuties that semester.
—Dr. James Graham Ruby G
A small list to help you better understand MIT terms (in case you're not familiar):
TA : Teaching Assistant (tutor/asdos)
Course VI: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MIT goes by number in everything)
Athena cluster: the name of internal computer cluster at MIT.
OK, here goes....
Dear Ask A TA,
How do I tell if my TA thinks I’m cute?
—Yearning to Know
Dear Yearning,
The reliable criteria for determining if a TA thinks you are cute are as follows. First determine if the TA in question is in fact your TA. If yes, then determine if your gender is compatible with your TA’s sexual orientation. If yes again, congratulations! Your TA thinks you are cute.
Why is this method so robust? Remember who your TAs are. Your TA is either a graduate_student@mit.edu, or an overachieving_undergraduate@mit.edu (which is saying a lot). When not TAing you, your TAs are either writing software, studying in preparation for the writing of software, or eating ramen noodles. This is not a lifestyle that facilitates the meeting of potential mates.
Now, consider your recitation section — a room full of young coeds, their eyes and ears fixed on your TA. This is the most attention your TA has gotten in quite a while. It’s flattering. And tremendously exciting. And some of these coeds are even so interested in spending time with the TA that they’ll seek out the TA outside of class. Sometimes this just means going to specified “office hours,” but at times it almost reaches the level of full-fledged stalking, with students constantly e-mailing, calling, and stopping by the TA’s place of work or home unannounced. For most people, this would be disturbing. But for your lonely hearted TA, this is probably the most exciting turn their social life has ever taken.
So, if your TA thinks that you are so cute, why doesn’t he make a move? Again, he isn’t just a TA, he is a TA@mit.edu. Why would you expect him to act any differently than anybody_else@mit.edu? Just like the rest of the MIT populace, he is shy and socially awkward. In fact, when talking about relationships, he’ll probably get nervous enough simply elaborating the relationship between impedance and frequency. A discussion about a real romantic relationship might make his poor little TAing heart explode. And then you’d definitely never find out what kind of questions will be on the final.
More importantly just like the rest of the MIT student body, he’s probably Course VI. As such, he’s most likely had this important TAing specification beaten into his skull — DO NOT hit on your students. It’s the cardinal rule of TAing and is specified as a user requirement of the TAship interface.
Now in regards to this forbidden attraction between you and your TA, the TA is presented with an interesting logical dilemma: the reason that you are interested in him is the same as the reason that your romance is forbidden. The classical solution to this game theory challenge is for both of you to wait until the semester is over to hook up. However, the logical basis of this solution is clearly flawed, and both you and your TA know it. Will he still be attractive when he no longer knows what is going to be on the final ahead of time? Seriously? I thought not. There is a very limited window of time in which you will find your TA cute. Your TA, though, will still find you cute long after he has marked off points for not showing work on the last problem of your final. So give it time. Wait until the end of the semester. Then, years later, if you are in dire relationship straits, send your ex-TA an e-mail and say you need to brush up on impedance over a romantic candle lit dinner. I guarantee that he will come down from the Athena cluster to join you. That is unless he is TAing another bunch of cuties that semester.
—Dr. James Graham Ruby G
Sunday, May 04, 2008
friendship and pies
What are the similarities between friendship and pies?
Well, they are warm, sweet, and certainly can make you happy :).
Let me tell you what happened in the basement kitchen yesterday.
I was back in my room at ~6.30 pm, all tired and exhausted. I wasn't feeling well this weekend for some reasons, perhaps just the accummulated tiredness over the weeks. I went down to start thawing my chicken breast and shrimps. There, I saw Pat slicing apples and Fei watching a movie while talking to Pat. So I asked Pat "are you going to bake an apple pie?" and she said yes. But I was too tired and swamped... I went back to my room to tidy a few things up and had a short nap.
At 8-ish, I started preparing my dinner: chicken and shrimp pad thai :). Pat was almost ready with the baking. Jing was there eating her dinner and Fei was already gone. While I was napping, Fei helped Pat preparing the pie crust. The TV was showing The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lions, the Witch and the Wardrobe. When I started cooking, she put the pies into the oven. Not long after, the sweet apple-y crust-y butter-y cinnamon-y nutmeg-y smell of the pies emanated the kitchen.
Fei was back in the kitchen to get something. The nice smell actually held her back. Jing was torn between reading a paper (duh) and watching Narnia while waiting for the pie. She was suddenly gone and back with a paper in her hand :). Fei saw it and she was gone too; then she was back with her laptop and she did some work. I went to my room and get my notes and homework down. I guess it wasn't the best and most efficient way of working but at least doing so lessened our guilt haha.
When Pat took the pies out from the oven, we AUTOMATICALLY grabbed our plates and forks. (By default, the pies are for sharing hahaha). We then waited and waited until the pies are cold enough to get a slice.
Pat came back to the kitchen. She took a knife. She walked to her precious pies. These three girls suddenly stopped working and LINED UP with our plates :). We got a slice each. It was DIVINE. I SO have to get the recipes (it didn't look too difficult/intimidating). Ore was there too and she also got a slice.
How could anyone want to NOT be in such a circle? =D
I do hope that when I move to that bigger place, I can still have a nice community to hang around with. I will live in an apartment-style grad housing, where we have our own small kitchen and it's only used by two people, i.e., you and your roommate...
PS: it's my 340-th post!!!
Although now, "340" always reminds me of Airbus-340 aircraft type, which is a huge four-engine aircraft.
Well, they are warm, sweet, and certainly can make you happy :).
Let me tell you what happened in the basement kitchen yesterday.
I was back in my room at ~6.30 pm, all tired and exhausted. I wasn't feeling well this weekend for some reasons, perhaps just the accummulated tiredness over the weeks. I went down to start thawing my chicken breast and shrimps. There, I saw Pat slicing apples and Fei watching a movie while talking to Pat. So I asked Pat "are you going to bake an apple pie?" and she said yes. But I was too tired and swamped... I went back to my room to tidy a few things up and had a short nap.
At 8-ish, I started preparing my dinner: chicken and shrimp pad thai :). Pat was almost ready with the baking. Jing was there eating her dinner and Fei was already gone. While I was napping, Fei helped Pat preparing the pie crust. The TV was showing The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lions, the Witch and the Wardrobe. When I started cooking, she put the pies into the oven. Not long after, the sweet apple-y crust-y butter-y cinnamon-y nutmeg-y smell of the pies emanated the kitchen.
Fei was back in the kitchen to get something. The nice smell actually held her back. Jing was torn between reading a paper (duh) and watching Narnia while waiting for the pie. She was suddenly gone and back with a paper in her hand :). Fei saw it and she was gone too; then she was back with her laptop and she did some work. I went to my room and get my notes and homework down. I guess it wasn't the best and most efficient way of working but at least doing so lessened our guilt haha.
When Pat took the pies out from the oven, we AUTOMATICALLY grabbed our plates and forks. (By default, the pies are for sharing hahaha). We then waited and waited until the pies are cold enough to get a slice.
Pat came back to the kitchen. She took a knife. She walked to her precious pies. These three girls suddenly stopped working and LINED UP with our plates :). We got a slice each. It was DIVINE. I SO have to get the recipes (it didn't look too difficult/intimidating). Ore was there too and she also got a slice.
How could anyone want to NOT be in such a circle? =D
I do hope that when I move to that bigger place, I can still have a nice community to hang around with. I will live in an apartment-style grad housing, where we have our own small kitchen and it's only used by two people, i.e., you and your roommate...
PS: it's my 340-th post!!!
Although now, "340" always reminds me of Airbus-340 aircraft type, which is a huge four-engine aircraft.
Friday, May 02, 2008
simple things that make me happy
In Green Hall, I share the spacious basement kitchen with nine other ladies in total. However, some of them are seldom seen in the kitchen. As for us the kitchen dwellers, we have formed a very strong bond over recipes, meal sharing, chips, desserts, or just having lighthearted chats while watching some comedies or romantic movies, e.g., Sweet Home Alabama or My Best Friend's wedding.
Green Hall will cease to be a grad dorm very soon, and undergrad will come and replace us. There goes our lovely kitchen and the friendship that has grown in the midst of garlic, curry, cumin, kecap manis (that's mine of course), ice cream, cakes, pies, wine, smoothies, etc etc etc.... I am pretty sad about it, honestly.
Now, everytime I feel bored with my study (it happens a lot), I can just go down to the basement kitchen and often I find some of the girls there. It's kinda refreshing to talk (esp. when it is over food/snacks/particularly desserts) even if just for a few minutes; although sometimes we flick over the TV channels and find something interesting to divert our attention from work.
I guess I should give an idea of how diverse we are. The six ladies who are normally spotted in the kitchen include: one Indonesian Chinese *me*, one Korean, one American, one Indian, one Chinese who cooks, and one Chinese who doesn't cook but always has a great stash of desserts (cakes/chocolates/pies) and... bottles of wines. Though strangely, she munches celery sticks as snacks *duh*.
We use to taste each other's food, exchange ingredients and utensils :). They were very amazed with my super efficient Indonesian fried rice. Actually I was too hungry to make anything fancy--it was 10.30 pm already, so I just threw some ingredients together and voila, i had a plate of nasi goreng for dinner (it smelt divine). The Chinese noodle soup, Korean bulgogi and other meats, the Indian curries (the best!! she's really good....)... have been part of my "struggle for survival" at MIT.
I have to admit that I didn't cook much at the beginning of the semester. The reason was classic: no time. Indeed I still have 24 hours per day now, but I think you can always make time if you want to (and set your mind into it). And... COOKING IS VERY RELAXING!! And the satisfaction you get from eating your own cooked food surpasses everything; although you also tend to eat double or triple your usual servings. The excitement you get from "devising" the experimental meal plan for tonight can keep you going sometimes (seriously...). For example, I can't wait until my first attempt of concocting Pad Thai tomorrow. Okay, the sauce is from "Thai Kitchen" but I am really not familiar with the ingredients (and especially where/how to get them in Boston) so the sauce is good for a start.
FYI, I am not an "instant sauce" or "ready-to-serve meal" person. I am against instant pasta sauce. My Bolognaise always has fresh tomatoes, meat, onions, etc.... I guess concocting them from scratch adds more fun to the whole process, no?
Also, with preparing your own food you become much more creative. You know what to make if you don't have much time (and they are still good). You can see what you have left in the fridge and make something good out of it. Sometimes I am amazed with what I can come up with haha =D
Since I decided to cook again (after having two super intensive weeks that caused pimples and neurotic abnormalcy), all my friends said I noticeably look happier and much more relaxed. Also, I haven't seen any decline in my quality of work :).
Green Hall will cease to be a grad dorm very soon, and undergrad will come and replace us. There goes our lovely kitchen and the friendship that has grown in the midst of garlic, curry, cumin, kecap manis (that's mine of course), ice cream, cakes, pies, wine, smoothies, etc etc etc.... I am pretty sad about it, honestly.
Now, everytime I feel bored with my study (it happens a lot), I can just go down to the basement kitchen and often I find some of the girls there. It's kinda refreshing to talk (esp. when it is over food/snacks/particularly desserts) even if just for a few minutes; although sometimes we flick over the TV channels and find something interesting to divert our attention from work.
I guess I should give an idea of how diverse we are. The six ladies who are normally spotted in the kitchen include: one Indonesian Chinese *me*, one Korean, one American, one Indian, one Chinese who cooks, and one Chinese who doesn't cook but always has a great stash of desserts (cakes/chocolates/pies) and... bottles of wines. Though strangely, she munches celery sticks as snacks *duh*.
We use to taste each other's food, exchange ingredients and utensils :). They were very amazed with my super efficient Indonesian fried rice. Actually I was too hungry to make anything fancy--it was 10.30 pm already, so I just threw some ingredients together and voila, i had a plate of nasi goreng for dinner (it smelt divine). The Chinese noodle soup, Korean bulgogi and other meats, the Indian curries (the best!! she's really good....)... have been part of my "struggle for survival" at MIT.
I have to admit that I didn't cook much at the beginning of the semester. The reason was classic: no time. Indeed I still have 24 hours per day now, but I think you can always make time if you want to (and set your mind into it). And... COOKING IS VERY RELAXING!! And the satisfaction you get from eating your own cooked food surpasses everything; although you also tend to eat double or triple your usual servings. The excitement you get from "devising" the experimental meal plan for tonight can keep you going sometimes (seriously...). For example, I can't wait until my first attempt of concocting Pad Thai tomorrow. Okay, the sauce is from "Thai Kitchen" but I am really not familiar with the ingredients (and especially where/how to get them in Boston) so the sauce is good for a start.
FYI, I am not an "instant sauce" or "ready-to-serve meal" person. I am against instant pasta sauce. My Bolognaise always has fresh tomatoes, meat, onions, etc.... I guess concocting them from scratch adds more fun to the whole process, no?
Also, with preparing your own food you become much more creative. You know what to make if you don't have much time (and they are still good). You can see what you have left in the fridge and make something good out of it. Sometimes I am amazed with what I can come up with haha =D
Since I decided to cook again (after having two super intensive weeks that caused pimples and neurotic abnormalcy), all my friends said I noticeably look happier and much more relaxed. Also, I haven't seen any decline in my quality of work :).
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