Ham Fried Rice

and I’m still blogging. This is undoubtedly a sickness.

Tonight I witnessed “evil” to a whole new level. Matt and I were watching some program about China titled, “Getting Rich.” During a discussion about the crackdown on the counterfeit culture, the commentator mentioned infants dying because they were fed “counterfeited” formula. There was no nutrition in the powders and they died. Their poor mothers thought they were feeding their babies milk. It made me want to VOMIT. I considered for a second to ban products “Made in China,” which is ironic since I am Chinese. However, it’d be impossible to do since everything is made in China. Even the stuff made in Mexico, those “Made in Mexico” stickers are made in China.

BBC America’s You Are What You Eat intrigues me. The abrasive hostess Gillian McKeith is a holistic nutritionist who works with severely obese people, attempting to change their lifestyle and eating habits in eight short weeks. She actually accosts strangers at the grocery store, telling them they could lose a few “stone.” (I don’t always understand the British English terms. What exactly is a “stone,” in terms of weight? What’s the American English equivalent? If you know, please comment or email me. Otherwise I’ll have to wikipedia this.) The narration is quite funny. Here are a few sound bites:

• Lardie Laddie
• Whale of a Woman
• Dumpy Duo
• Sofa Loafers

And all this is just in one episode. I have to say that as harsh as it sounds, it’s really quite funny when spoken in a proper British accent.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the show is when Gillian forces her patients to examine their fecal matter. I know, it’s disgusting, and yet it’s quite fascinating. No, they don’t show the “poos,” but they hold them in a clear case and discuss the shape, size, make up or consistency and smell. BTW, I’m laughing my head off as I type this. (Told you I was a tomboy.) I can’t quite see an American show discussing the same material.

I enjoy Gillian’s no nonsense approach and telling it like it is. I also appreciate the fact that she’s trying to create a lifestyle change, changing long term behavior, as opposed to offering a short term fix. However, it’s no The Biggest Loser. Who these obese people really need is Jillian Michaels, with her hardcore workout regime and killer mantra: “Beatings, beatings, beatings.”

RICH

Definition: abundant

Synonym: abounding, ample, copious, costly, deluxe, elaborate, elegant, embellished, expensive, exquisite, extravagant, lavish, lush, luxurious, palatial, plenteous, plentiful, plush, posh, resplendent, swank, well-endowed

Antonym: poor

You never really know what you have until you see those around you who have even less than you. I think it’s especially true for those of us who reside here in America. Whilst watching American Idol’s Idol Gives Back special, I was treated to countless video montages of Hollywood celebrities traveling with their posse and cameras to Africa and poorer parts of the United States (in their private jets, no doubt…oh the irony.) They each did their best to convince Americans to donate “whatever you can.” Their pleas had conflicting effects on me:

Me, the Cynic: There is nothing worse than seeing a bunch of disgustingly wealthy people self-righteously parading around the world, asking the rest of us for our hard earned monies. How do they know that I don’t already donate 10% of my income to humanitarian aid and charitable causes? If these celebrities truly cared, why don’t they dig deeper into their own pockets and donate 1% (what’s that? a meager million or two?) of their earnings? Perhaps instead of shopping at Barney’s and paying thousands of dollars for a purse, perhaps instead of catering a post self-congratulatory awards show party, perhaps instead of flying off to luxurious resorts, they should consider donating “whatever they can” of their own dollars and help feed starving African children.

Me, the Humanist: Look at the white trash children in Kentucky. They don’t have any books, schooling opportunities or front teeth (ok, that’s Me, the Cynic, sorry.) Actually, I was very moved by an interview with one of the American children who said she wanted to grow up and become a teacher someday. I would love to support this child because she had a strong sense of purpose and desire to better her own life and help others. And, of course, I am always in tears by the end of the African montages. Life can be so unfair. Why was I born in America with a multitude of opportunities that I’ve received, when another Spirit was born to destitute poverty in a third world country? Sometimes it’s difficult to reconcile.

My five year-old returned from preschool one day telling me about a friend who had “tons and tons of Webkinz” and then came the self-pitying “and I only have one. Can you buy me another one? I want tons and tons of Webkinz.” I took a moment and explained to him that there are children in the world who don’t have food to eat, who don’t have a home to live in, and some don’t even have a mom or dad to love them. I realize poverty, humility, and gratitude are abstract concepts to teach a five year-old, but if I don’t start now, he may not care to understand when he’s older. He innocently replied, “Well, then we should give them some money and help them buy some food so they can eat.” If only it were so simple to conquer the world’s problems.

It’s hard for me to see the trials of my generation, with our lack of gratitude and humility. Forget about simple gratitude for basic necessities like food, potable water, shelter, or clothing. I don’t think many of my generation give much thought to their cars, jobs, or educational opportunities. There is a culture of entitlement and greed. You know you live in an affluent society when all women talk about are their favorite pair of “seven” jeans. 7 for all mankind. Hmmm… really? I didn’t know all mankind could afford $260 designer jeans.

As a teenager, I had the opportunity to live in China with my study abroad program many years ago. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I met a teenage boy who worked in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant by the student dormitories. He worked long hours and I asked him if he enjoyed it. He told me it was much better than his previous fourteen-hour day of laboring in the fields.

It gives you a little perspective on life.

I just finished watching part one of Andrew Davies’ adaptation of Sense & Sensibility and I’m not quite sure what to think, yet. I can say that I didn’t particularly care for the opening scene between Willoughby and Eliza with all of the steamy “ooh” noises and overt skin shots. Frankly, I was embarrassed by how hard they were trying to make it “sexy” in a modern-day sense. I watch period pieces for a reason. If I want a skanky modern scene, I can turn to any channel on my TV. Perhaps Andrew Davies hasn’t figured out that women don’t necessarily need or like explicit scenes. Unlike a dude, I don’t get turned on by visual stimulus.
The entire production dragged painfully and the acting was disappointingly mediocre. I also found Dominic Cooper to be too smarmy as Willoughby. “Willoughby! Willoughby!” The name can’t help but conjure an image of the gorgeous Greg Wise. (See inset picture of gorgeous, brooding man.) Unfortunately, I also could not help but compare this production to Ang Lee’s 1995 S&S, which was adapted by Emma Thompson, and one of my top twenty faves.

Thus far, this is my least favorite current adaptation of an Austen work… We’ll have to see if part two redeems the production. To Be Continued.

Jane-ites, Austenites, whatever you may call yourselves, set your TIVO/DVR/VCR for the next two Sundays as PBS’ Masterpiece Theatre airs the latest adaptation of Sense & Sensibility. I’m curious to see what sultry scenes have been added by Andrew Davies, the same screenwriter who gave us the Colin Firth “shirt” scene in his A&E adaptation of P&P.

And in case you haven’t checked it out yet, click here to to see the “Men of Austen.” It’s going to be a great weekend!

Who knew Ronnie Miller would age so well?

For my five year-old’s birthday party, he and friends dressed up as princes and princesses and went to see Disney’s Enchanted in theaters last December. We bought the DVD yesterday and my kids and I have already watched it and re-watched it at least ten times. I absolutely love the homage to all the Disney Princess films, especially the actors’ cameos. (Jodi Benson / Ariel’s voice plays Sam; Paige O’Hara/Belle is Angela; Judy Kuhn/Pocahontas plays a mom, etc.)

And yes, I have to admit I still enjoy watching Can’t Buy Me Love… (That’s OK. Matt still enjoys watching The Karate Kid. Which one is more cringe-worthy?)

While I’ve been posting, I’ve been listening to MI-5 on the BBC America TV channel. I love Matthew Macfadyen. In case you don’t remember him, he played Mr. Darcy in the Joe Wright adaptation of P&P with Keira Knightley. Even though Macfadyen’s Darcy was different from the smoldering haughtiness (or should I say “hottiness”) of Colin Firth, I thoroughly enjoyed him. His voice has such a great texture and richness to it. Music to a blogger’s ears.

Update: I played back and watched what I was listening to and imagine my delight to see Rupert Penry-Jones on MI-5 with Tom Macfadyen! Captain Wentworth AND Mr. Darcy. It’s too much for this girl.