Happy Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is not as big of a deal in the US as in Asia.  I remember New Year to be sooo much fun when I was a kid in Vietnam.  Because my mom can sew, she made me a new outfit to wear everyday for two weeks straight. As part of our custom, my parents would take me to visit relatives to wish them a prosperous new year.  New clothes, good food, and red envelopes, New Year was like Christmas in the US.   My Dad would make his diakon cake every year.  However, this year, he said that his hand hurts due to arthritis, so he didn't make daikon cake.  Of course, I have to help him carry on the tradition.   This New Year brought back memories because my mom helped me hemmed a few pair of pants I got in Christmas.  I have new clothes to wear, red envelopes, and daikon cake.  It's like I am little again.

Chinese Baked Bao Recipe

Baos are not the simplest thing to make and there are many ways of making them.  I've tried a few and settled with this recipe because it is comparatively simpler and produce pretty good results.   I am very picky about Bao because if I can't make it better than Chinatown, then I might as well buy them (especially since I live close to Chinese bakeries).  I think baked good fresh from the oven usually taste pretty good.  My criteria for a good bao are that it is soft and pillowy with a slight chew not ONLY fresh out of the oven, but also the next few days.   Even certain bakeries in Chinatown have baos that are hard the next day. So as you can see, my criteria are high.

I measure my ingredients by weight, this way I get the same result very time and it's also easier to bake in bulk.  I've learned that artisan bakeries use formulas and proportion to measure their ingredients so it can easily be scaled up or down.  But since you may not have a scale at home, I've also included an approximate (pretty close) measurement.

The recipe can be used for Char Sui Bao, Gai Mei Bao, Green Onion, Custard, or any other kind. When I am in a hurry and the kids want baos the next day, I usually just make Hot Dog Bao because I don't have to make the fillings.  This recipe is only for the dough.

For the bread to be soft and pillowy, you have to knead it until gluten is formed.  How do you know when it's done?  Well, usually it's done when the dough is smooth and stretchy.  You should be able to stretch the dough about 3.5 feet without it breaking.  Also to be fluffy,  you have to let the dough rise enough, but not too much.  Just a heads up that when you are done, the dough should be a bit sticky, but not so sticky that it sticks to your hands.  It should be like slimes that children play with.  It's wet and sticky, but when taken away, there shouldn't be slime on your hands.

You don't need a bread maker to make bread.  I figure in the olden days people don't have bread maker and current day bakeries don't use bread maker, so I don't need one either.  You can knead by hand or use the Kitchen Aid mixer.

Have fun and let me know how it turns out!

Chinese Baked Bao Recipe


Ingredients
300g     Bread flour (about 2 cups and 2 TBS)
300g    All Purpose Flour (about 2 cups and 2 TBS)
250g    Milk (about 1 C)
130g    Sugar (about 2/3 C)
10g      Dry Active Yeast (about 3 tsp or one package should work)
2          Eggs at room temperature
5g        Salt (a pinch)
100g    Butter softened and sliced up (about 7 TBS)

1.5 TBS Hot water
1.5 TBS Sugar

1. Warm the milk (make sure it is not hot) and add in some sugar and yeast and let it sit for 10 mins.  If it gets foamy, then that means your yeast is alive and you are good.  Otherwise, throw it out and use new yeast.

2. Add eggs and bit more sugar to the yeast and whisk to combine.

3. Add in flour, salt, and the remaining sugar and combine until it comes together into a ball.

4. Add butter a few slices at a time and knead the dough until all the butter are incorporated into the dough.

5. Knead it for 5 mins and then let the dough rest for 10 mins.  Then test it to see if it's stretchy enough.  If not, keep kneading the dough until it is smooth and stretchy.

6. Grease a large bowl, put the dough in it and cover with saran wrap.  Then put it in draft free place to rise.  I like to use my oven (but it has to be OFF).  If your house is cold, I would put a bowl of hot water in the oven.  The steam is warm enough for the yeast to grow.  It has to grow 2 to 2.5 times.  It can take anywhere from 45 mins to 1.5 hour.

7. Take the dough out and punch down to deflate.  Then continue to knead for a few mins.  Cut into 12 pieces.

8. Roll each piece on a clean counter to make a rope.  Then wrap it around a dry hot dog.

9.  Cover with saran wrap and return to rise again in the oven that's OFF.

10. When it grew 2 - 2.5 time, you are ready to bake.  It is best to remove the bread from the oven after 30 mins and let it finish rising on the counter so you can preheat the oven.  I have two ovens so I can preheat and rise at the same time.

11. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

12. Combine hot water and sugar and mix till sugar melted.

13. Brush the sugar mixture on the risen baos and bake for about 16-20 mins or until top is light brown.  Be careful not to over bake or else your buns won't be able to stay soft the next day.

14. Remove from oven when done and brush with sugar mixture again immediately then let cool.  Enjoy!!!

Pho Ga in Instant Pot (Chicken Pho)

I know there are a lot of Pho Ga recipe for Instant Pot, but I haven't seen a written one that match
exactly what I know how it should be made.

I personally love beef Pho more because the flavor is richer and deeper.  That's because I love beef.  However, there is a time and place for chicken Pho.  It is not as rich and in Chinese, it is clearer, meaning the broth is so light and tasty (I know this dish is not Chinese, but since I am both Chinese and Vietnamese, I often combine the two cultures). There is some kind of healing effect in chicken broth, so I sometime crave this on cold days.  I think that the spices use for chicken and beef Pho should NOT be the same because they are distinctively different. I have made beef Pho with star anise, clove, cinnamon, cardamon, and coriander.  With chicken, I only use coriander seeds and cloves.

The key to this broth is to roast the coriander seeds and cloves and char the onion and ginger.  I used to make broth without charring the onion and ginger and it tasted good.  But a more authentic Vietnamese cook told me to char it to get a deeper flavor.  I have to agree.  I just char on the stove top like this.

Pho Ga in Instant Pot


Broth
2 whole     Onions (one to put in broth, one for topping)
4 inch        Ginger
2 TBS        Coriander seeds
4                Cloves
6-7 lbs       Chicken (parts of whole)
1 cube        Rock sugar (1-2 TBS of regular sugar)
1/3 c           Fish sauce
                   Chicken meat balls (optional)
                   Pho rice noodle (fresh or dry)

Toppings
Green onion chopped
Cilantro chopped
Onion sliced paper thin
Bean sprouts (optional)

1. Wash the chicken and remove as much fat as you can.  I usually also remove skin too but leave some skin on for richer broth.
2. Parboil the chicken in boiling water for 5 mins.  Then rinse them clean.
3. Char the onion and ginger until soft.  Then cool, wash, and peel the burn parts.
4. Roast the spices and put them in a mesh bag and tie it tight.
5. Put chicken, onion, ginger, and spices in the pot.
6. Add in rock sugar, fish sauce, and fill it with water to just below the max line.
7. Cook manually on high pressure for 20 mins.  Then let it naturally release for 10 mins and then quick release.
8. In the mean time, chop up toppings and cook noodle according to instructions.  Soak thinly sliced onion in water so it's not so spicy for kids.
9. Remove the chickens, taste the broth, and add more fish sauce if needed.
10.  Add in chicken meat ball if you like them and use saute function to bring broth to a boil.
11.  Assemble the bowl by putting in noodle, shredded chicken, thinly sliced onion, cilantro, and green onion.  Spoon broth and chicken meat balls over the noodles and serve.

One Pot Chicken Rice

I always feel so loved when someone brings me dinner, whether it was purchased or homemade, or invite me to dinner.  The act of providing dinner involves many steps.  First, they thought about me.  Second, they spent time cooking or getting me food.  And finally, they deliver it to me or have me over to their house to share a meal.  In a culture where we are all press for time, I think the act of providing dinner is a high form of love.  I still remember all the people that brought me a meal when I had my first child and the adoption of the third.  The meals range from the very simple to the very extravagant, but I appreciated and enjoyed them all because I was at a period where I couldn't cook. On the receiving end, each meal was a blessing.

God has always impress upon my heart to use whatever resources and gifts that He has given me for His glory.  Of course that definitely includes my love for baking and cooking.  Since I am such a food oriented person, that is definitely my way of showing love to those around me.  I have no hesitation in providing a meal, hosting an event, or cooking for a group.  In fact, I have to pull myself back from doing those things because I can get out of hand.

I know for a lot of people, providing someone a meal or bringing things to a potluck can be a daunting task.  But have no fear, I am going to share this one pot meal recipe, so that when you have the opportunity to bring someone a meal or have to bring a dish to potluck, it would be easy.  I encourage you to bless someone and share the love of Christ in this very tangible way.  And with Instant Pot, it's easy peasy.

One Pot Chicken Rice

Ingredients
2-3 lbs       Chicken thigh (cut into 1.5 in cube)
3 sticks      Chinese sausages (diced)
10              Black mushroom (rehydrated and diced) more if you like
3 cloves     Garlic (minced)
3 sliced      Ginger (shredded)
3 rice cup   Rice
2 C            Chicken broth
                  Green onion for garnish
Some         Taro (cubed) - optional

Chicken marinate:
1/4 tsp       Five spice powder (more if you like)
2 TBS       Soy sauce
1/2 TBS    Dark soy sauce
1/4 tsp       sugar
                 sesame oil

1. Marinate chicken with chicken marinate and keep in fridge overnight or for 30 mins.
2.  On Saute mode, add in a little oil till hot.  Add in garlic & ginger till fragrant.  Add in Chinese sausage and mushroom.  
3. Wash rice and put in Instant Pot with 2 C of chicken broth.
4. Add in marinated chicken and set on manual mode for 8 mins.  Let it natural release for 15 mins.
5.  Taste to see if you need more seasoning.  Serve with green onion as garnish.

Beef Pot Roast

With work, kids, and driving them around, it is really difficult to cook. I aim to cook about 5 days a week, eat leftover for lunch and one night for dinner, then eat out one day. That's why I've gotten to LOVE the Instant Pot. With it, I can still feed my kids nutritious meals while I am on the go. On my day off last Friday, this is was my schedule:

8am Drop kids off at school
8:30am Go on a run
9:30am Eat breakfast and do volunteer work for elementary school
10:30am Host prayer meeting
12pm Pick up elementary school and make lunch
1pm Drop off J at a friend's house for playdate and stop by Ranch 99 to pick up a few things for tonight's dinner
2pm K's doctor's appt 3pm Middle school pick up
3:30pm Pick up second child from playdate
3:45pm Sear pot roast and pop in Instant Pot
4pm Drive C to piano lesson and then run errands
5pm Pick up from piano lesson
5:30pm Check on pot roast and added in potatoes, carrots, etc.
6pm J has basketball practice, but a neighbor will take him. So then I made a veggie for myself 6:15pm Dinner for half of the family
7pm Small group Bible Study

Usually my work day is also this pack. I have to drive them to their activities three out of five weekdays. So Instant Pot is my go to equipment to put food on the table fast. They all loved this Pot Roast recipe. I hope you enjoy this recipe and are inspired to make healthy food for your family.  This recipe is also good to bring to potluck because you can put in as many potatoes as you want.

Beef Pot Roast

Ingredients

3-4 lbs Beef chunk (any cut)
2-3 lbs Potatoes (or any amount you like)
3 Carrots
Some mushrooms small onion diced
2 clove garlic minced
2 TBS oil
2 TBS Tomato paste
1/4c Red Wine
2c Beef broth
1-2 TBS cornstarch with water
Green onion or parsley for garnish

1. In the morning or day before, rub salt and pepper over the beef.
2. In the IP, put on "Saute" mode, when the display says Hot, it’s ready. Put in oil or butter, sear the beef on both side until it’s mostly brown. Take the beef out.
3. Add more oil and saute 2 cloves of minced garlic and one small diced onion.
4. Then add in 2 TBS of tomato paste. Add in 1/4 red wine, 2 cups of beef broth to deglaze the pot.
5. Then put the beef back in and then close the lid and set on meat function and cook for 50 mins.
6. After that, see if you like the texture of the meat.  If you do take it out.  I took it out because I like to have some chew to it.  If you want it softer, leave it in and all in potatoes, carrots, and mushroom to cook for another 3 mins. After that remove the beef, potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms.
7. Taste the liquid and season it if it is needed.
8. Turn the IP to "Saute" again and use cornstarch with a bit of water to make gravy with the liquid. Then serve and garnish with parsley or green onion.

Chinese braised beef with tendons

I've been so busy this year that I haven't update this blog.  Since so many people want this recipe, I thought this is the best place to share it.  I didn't take pictures while I cooked since I didn't plan to share it.  Make a comment here if you have questions about the instruction.

This dish is truly Chinese comfort food.  If cooked correctly, the tendons are soft and beef can be broken apart with a fork.  This is normally eaten with rice, but can be eaten with noodles or french bread.

Chinese Braised Beef with Tendons

Ingredients
1.5 lbs      Beef tendon (cut into 2" cube)
2.5 lbs      Beef (any kind good for stew)
15 oz        Beef broth (approx)
10 slices   Ginger
3 stalks     Green onion (chop one stalk for garnish, the rest cut into 2" section)
3 carrots   Carrots (cut into BIG chunks, can be more if you like them)
1               Tomato (slice)
2 TBS       Tomato paste
alittle        Shaoxing wine
1 TBS       Oil

Instruction for Instant Pot (IP):
1. Boil a pot of water with 5 slices of ginger and the 2 stalks of green onion. Blanche tendons for 3-5 mins.  Do not throw away the water, we will need it to blanche the beef.
2. Remove tendons and season with a bit of salt.  Add tendons to IP and add enough beef broth to cover the tendons (it can be more or less that the 15 oz indicated).  Set it on meat mode and cook for 25 mins.
3. When tendon is about done, blanche the beef in the same pot of water you used for tendons until no more blood on the beef.
4. In a wok or a pot, heat oil.
5. Add in the ginger to fry it a bit.  Then add in the tomato.
6.  Then add in the tomato paste stir fry until warm and then add in a little bit of Shaoxing wine.
7.  Add in the blanche beef so that the tomato paste will coat the beef.
8.  When the tendons are done, pour out the meat juice into the tomato beef pan to deglaze that pot.
9. Pour the tomato beef pot into IP where the tendons are.  Add a tiny bit of salt.
10.  Add in carrots.
11.  Set it on meat mode and reduce time to 25 mins.
12.  After it is done, do quick release and taste the sauce.  Add more salt if needed.  If you like thick sauces, you can set it on saute mode to bring the content to a boil and add in a cornstarch and water mixture.  I usually think that the sauce is thick enough since the tendon is a thickening agent.

Enjoy!

Instruction for regular pot
1. Boil a pot of water with 5 slices of ginger and the 2 stalks of green onion. Blanche tendons for 3-5 mins.  Do not throw away the water, we will need it to blanche the beef.
2. Remove tendons and season with a bit of salt.  Add tendons to another pot and add enough beef broth to cover the tendons (it can be more or less that the 15 oz indicated).  Cook on medium high for 30 mins, then turn down the heat to medium to stew for at least 30 mins.  I usually use cast iron pot as it retain heat and stew very efficiently.  Add more beef broth if liquid is low.
3. When tendon is about done, blanche the beef in the same pot of water you used for tendons until no more blood on the beef.
4. In a wok or a pot, heat oil.
5. Add in the ginger to fry it a bit.  Then add in the tomato.
6.  Then add in the tomato paste stir fry until warm and then add in a little bit of Shaoxing wine.
7.  Add in the blanche beef so that the tomato paste will coat the beef.
8.  Pour out some of the meat juice from the tendons into the tomato beef pan to deglaze that pot.
9. Pour the tomato beef pot into the pot where the tendons are.  Add a tiny bit of salt.
10.  Add in carrots.
11.  Set it on medium high heat to stew for about 45 mins.  How long you cook this time depends on your pot and stove.  Check to make sure the beef and tendons are as soft as you like it.
12.  After it is done, taste the sauce.  Add more salt if needed.  If you like thick sauce, you can add in a cornstarch and water mixture.  I usually think that the sauce is thick enough since the tendon is a thickening agent.

A Desperate Plea for My Boy

There seems to constantly be bad news about C's teeth.  We started his orthodontic journey two years ago and till this day, there is no end in sight.  In fact, it got worst.  I couldn't sleep for the past few days and got up at 3 am this morning.  

On Saturday, H took C to see the Endodontist recommended by Harry regarding his permanent tooth that has been loose for over a year now.  It turned out that his own body has been attacking that tooth and causing the root to erode away.  Apparently, there was trama to that tooth.  It was either from the side way canine or the many oral surgeries that he had, of course, doctors don’t want to tell us so they won’t be liable.  We waited for so long after the surgery for the tooth to stabilize and it didn’t.  But in the mean time it is eroding away.  The orthodontist doesn’t know how to move forward with his treatment at this point since she can’t use the front teeth as anchor to pull the jaw out.  Then, she thought that she can push the jaw back.  However, if this is done, he will have lots of spaces that need implants, which can’t be done until he is 18.  She originally took out some teeth in the front so she can pull everything forward.  It seemed like taking C to the orthodontist is causing more harm than good.  My lack of judgement and not speak up more for him has brought this onto him and cause him to suffer unnecessarily. The Endodontist's plan is to give him a root canal and inject calcium something into the root to stop the erosion and hopefully promote bone growth.  Will this save his tooth?  She can't promise.  Will it be strong enough for the Orthodontist to continue treatment?  She doesn't know.  But this is the only thing she can think of to do.  So now all orthodontic work will cease until further result from the Endodontist.   How will we finish his oral treatment? No one knows.  I feel so hopeless.  One thing I am thankful for is that his issues are not life threatening.  

On my morning run is past Sunday, I was so emotional that I couldn't run much due to all the crying. I said to God, "I prayed the very first time C had surgery and every time after that.  How come you didn't hear me?"  I went to church feeling emotional and burdened.  H led worship that day. Not knowing that I was distraught, he started out saying, "Sometimes we treat God like a Santa Claus, we expect Him to bring us gifts.  If He is not going to answer our prayers from this day forward, would we still love Him and worship Him?"  Tears streamed down my face, thankfully no one saw me, and I knew that I have no right to expect anything from God.  He already gave me the ultimate gift of His Son.  Jesus died on the cross for me and brought me unconditional love and acceptance from my heavenly Father.  What right do I have to demand anything?  In fact, I owe Him everything.  Yes, He is still worthy of my all.  But I begged that He would step in to help C. Even though, I shouldn't have spoken to God that way, He forgave me, sympathized with my pain, and offered me comfort.  It felt as if He spoke to me and me alone.

At the beginning of last week, I was working on Sunday School homework in the book called Women of Simplicity.  There was an exercise to find verses that would keep us grounding in God’s word and truth.  Somehow, I stumbled across Exodus 14:14.  So I tucked this verse away. At Sunday School, I forgot to bring my book, but we went around sharing those verses that we found, of all the verses, this verse came up in my mind.  When I read it that day, it seems as if God used it to speak to me.  Exodus 14:13-14 says “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt and in front of them was the Red Sea and behind them the Egyptian army in pursue.  They had no where to go.  God fought for them and opened up a way.  I felt so comforted by this verse.  Although I don't know what else to do, God will fight for C and lead me.  He knew I needed this verse today, so He gave it to me in advance.  He is so good. 

I am writing to ask you all, who are my prayer partners and faithful friends, to pray for C with me.  Please pray that the root canal method will stabilize his tooth and make it strong.  Also that the Orthodontist would be able to complete her work of pulling his teeth and jaw forward or whatever method that will cause the least amount of discomfort and also preserve his good teeth.  I believe God can still work miracles even though the situation may not be so bright.  Just like when Lazarus was sick, Jesus could have said a word and healed him.  But He didn't and waited until Lazarus died before He went to save him.  Because raising the dead was a miracle that only God can perform.  That act not only saved Lazarus, but it also showed His power.  If his tooth healed on its own, the doctors would say that the body healed itself.  If God heals him now, it is a work of a miracle.  May God be glorified and His power shine through in C's journey. 

God said to me, "Pray and watch what I can do."

It’s been so long since I journal anything on this site.  I’ve been so busy with everything.  I constantly feel like I have 10 pots cooking but only 9 lids, so I have to constantly switch lids to cover the most urgent thing first.   Journaling helps my forgetful brain to remember all of God’s blessing.  

When the kids were little, I feel like I have some form of control.  I can dictate where I send them to for childcare, I can control what they eat, I make them obey to a certain extend, and I can control and limit things that may have a bad influence.  But as they grow older, I have less and less control.  They want more control and less likely to take my advice.  They want to do things their way.  As I loose control in their lives, I became afraid of what they will become.   This summer, as I prepared to send my eldest to middle school, I heard God’s calling for me to lead a moms’ prayer group for the elementary school.  I felt God is saying to me, “Pray and watch what I can do.”  I do need to draw close to my Creator through prayer.  So in the summer, I pray for ONE mom to join me to pray on Friday when the school year starts.  The previous prayer group only had three people so I didn’t expect too many interested moms.  I held a social for people to come hang out and find out more and for the previous leader to share all the miracles God did through her prayers.  To my amazement, there were 13 who came.  The prayer meeting now consistently had 4-6 people.  WOW!!!  I only asked for one and God blessed the group 4-6 folds.  I see how BIG God is, I can ask for BIGGER things. 

Ever since I started praying with this group of moms, I started to be more conscious of how I pray.  Moms in Prayer International is the organization that gives guidance to the prayer group and they pray using the 4 steps prayer: praise, confession, thanksgiving, and finally supplication.  Asking is the last part.  In praise, confession, and thanksgiving there shouldn’t be any requests.  For example, in the praise portion, we are supposed to focus on one attribute of God and praise Him regarding that attribute (not making any prayer requests).  This is so that we realize how powerful and awesome God is.  We are so needy that we constantly ask and never focus on the other parts of prayer.  So I have been more conscious about starting my prayer with praises and thanksgiving and I have been making the boys aware that they need to do that as well.  But of course this is hard for them since asking for help is easier than thinking of attributes of God.  Sometimes I don’t know if anything I say is getting through to them.  But as I “pray and watch what God can do,” He gave me hopes and encouragements on this very difficult parenting journey.  Last week, Dai-dai prayed with Mui before putting her to bed and I heard him say, “God you are the Creator of this awesome universe, thank you for creating today.”  I was soooo excited!!!!! He is getting it!!!!!!!  He is beginning to praise God and beginning to realize God’s greatness.  HE is awesome and worthy of my praise.

Turning another leaf in the book of life

Today is my last day at the job in Walnut Creek.  This is the first time I am leaving a company with no hard feelings.  Just leaving for a better opportunity.  So saying good bye is harder this time. I took up a job as Tax Manager in San Francisco.  I thought long and hard about this job.  I would never apply for a manager position because I don't want too much responsibilities at work.  I just want to earn money and spend time with my family.  So this job literally just dropped on my lap.  I didn't know I was interviewing for a tax manager position going to the interview.  The recruiter called me and asked weather I would like to interview with a CPA firm since they are willing to accommodate my part time schedule.  So I thought why not?  I didn't ask what position since I don't care what position as long as they are willing to pay me what I think I am worth. When I got to the interview, the conference room door says, "Reserve for Tax Manager Interview - KM."  They were ready to hire me after the interview.  Still I fear the stress of being a manager.  I can manage people, but I just don't know what kind of expectations they have of me in term of tax expertise.  I know some tax laws after working on it for so many years, but I am no expert or will I ever be.  God just opened all the doors this time.  They gave me an offer and I even went back to ask for higher salary and they agreed without hesitation.  On top of that, they are willing to pay me 75% of a full time salary when I have clearly communicated that I can only work 20 hrs during non-busy season and 30 hrs during busy season.  It seems like this job is handed to me so I owe it to myself to give it a try.  I fear that I would fail miserably, but I am reminded of what God said in Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you.  Be not dismay, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  After reading Genesis 39-40, I began to pray that God would guide me and bless me at this new work place like He did for Joseph.  God blessed Potipher, the prison guard, and the entire Egypt for the sake of Joseph and whatever he did he was prosperous.  It would be such a humbling experience if God would bless my workplace because of me.

As I look at my resume, I realized that God was there every step of the way.  I literally have a story to tell with every job.  God's footprints were apparent at my first job with EY.  Before graduation, I was scheduled to interview with three of the Big 5 (back then).  But I only got a second interview with EY.  I was so inexperienced and nervous that of course I had trouble communicating during the interview.  Afterwards, I called the HR recruiter back to explain what I meant by what I said.  Then I called back 5 more times to leave a message on her voicemail to explain all my previous phone calls.  I can't believe I did that.  If I were the recruiter, I would not hire me.  But I got the job anyways.  Fresh out of college with a prestigious firm.  Something that I thought only the outgoing, extrovert, and smart girls get.  Never thought I had a shot, but God reminded me that it's by His grace and not my own power.

Then, EY got to be too stressful for me after having C.  I needed another job that's part time.  Part time job is not easy to come by, so it took about 6 mons and a recruiter called me about a tax position with Alta Partners, a venture capital firm, that only needed tax help for 20 hrs a week.  Perfect!!!!  The first interview went smoothly.  But during the second interview I was not able to answer a few technical questions on things I haven't worked on before.  But I still got the job.  They offered me a higher salary than EY and still had medical benefit for everyone in my family.  I only worked 20 hrs, but had full benefits.  What a blessing!

God provided this Walnut Creek job as an escape from Alta after my time there was done.  He now paved the way for a different position.  Since He had it all planned out, it only make sense to trust in His guidance and provision.

Chinese People and Compliments

What's up with Chinese people and compliments?  It's like the two don't go together.  This is the kind of stuff I think about when I am suppose to be doing Continued Education for my CPA license and I am procrastinating.  But seriously, you won't find too many Chinese that offers compliments and praises to other people freely.  Its not just the older generation, it's my generation too.  Its like they are allergic to saying good things to people.  But you will find people ready to criticize on the first count of any seemingly unconventional behavior.  I was walking with K to Daiso on a chilly day last week.  Two grandmas walking toward us said in Cantonese thinking I wouldn't understand , "What mother don't put a jacket on that little girl."  She had on a sweater dress with inside layers.  What they didn't know is that I DID put a jacket on her, but she insisted on taking it off.  Well, I don't have to prove myself to anyone, so I ignored their comments and moved on.  Perhaps people don't compliment others because if they dish out compliments, then there wouldn't be enough for themselves.  As if complimenting people will take away from who they are.  Or perhaps people don't want to praise others fearing that it will give them a big head.

The funny thing is that I heard Chinese people praise people of other cultures more than other Chinese.  Maybe when Chinese interact with cultures that often praise people, we are compel to do that same.  But to each other, there seems to be certain protocol that innately built in.  Not sure if I observed right, but it's how it seems to me.  At potluck, when a Caucasian friend bring a dish, people would say, "This is delicious!  You are such a good cook."  When your Chinese friend bring a dish, no one makes a comment or they would asked, "Did you make this?"  When you answered yes, they would simply nod.  Am I right?

Then I sat and thought about why I don't compliment people more.  Not to put the blame on anyone else, but one reason is that when someone is not raised with compliments, they don't think about offering compliments.  So its not natural to them.  I do find that I have to consciously remind myself to give people praises.  This is something I am working on.  I try to tell people a job well done when they put in the effort and time.  I also don't praise my kids when they are doing something they are supposed to.  Why? Because they are suppose to do it, it's part of their chores.  I don't get praise for cooking dinner every night because it's what I am suppose to do.  But it's sure is nice when people tell me that they like my food.  Studies have shown that people who received positive reinforcement will likely repeat that behavior.  So yes, my kids did the chores they are suppose to do, but when they are praised for it, then they are more likely to do it again willing and happily.  I was also afraid that when I offer too many praises, then they have an overinflated self-esteem.  What if they tried and didn't do well?  Should that be praised too?  Do more praises means lying sometimes?  Well, no.  I can praise my kids for their effort if the result is not up standard.  I don't have to say they did a good job if they didn't.  But I can give encouragement for trying.  So perhaps my New Year's resolution is to praise and compliment people more.