Verdant San Francisco

Indiaanse-Indiese fusie

2011-11-24T14:23:00.000-08:00

Indian-Indian Fusion

Vandag is die Amerikaanse vakansiedag wat bekend staan as "Thanksgiving." Ek het dit saam met Chris en sy vriendekring gevier. Ek is gewoonlik die enigste vegetariër by Thanksgiving byeenkomste, egter Chris is ook een, so ek wou iets spesiaal vir ons maak. Hy is ook die vriend wat ek leer hoe om Indiese kos te kook. Met dit in gedagte het ek besluit op 'n kombinasie van die kookkuns van Indiane* en Indiërs*.

Die twee geregte wat ek gebring het was Succotash-kerrie en basmati-Amerikaanse swart rys pilaf met geroosterde okkerneute en tuisgemaakte versuikerde bosbessies. Amerikaanse swart rys is nie werklik rys nie, maar eerder 'n verlangs verwante gras spesies. Succotash is 'n mielie en boontjie bredie van die Narraganset Indiane van Nieu-Engeland.

Today is the American holiday known as Thanksgiving. I celebrated it with Chris and his circle of friends. I'm usually the only vegetarian at Thanksgiving gatherings, however Chris is also one, so I wanted to make something special for us. He is also the friend I'm teaching how to cook Indian food. With this in mind, I decided on a combination of the cuisines of American and Asian Indians*.

The two entrees that I brought were Succotash curry and basmati-wild rice pilaf with toasted walnuts and homemade candied cranberries. Wild rice isn't actually rice, but rather a distantly related species of grass. Succotash is a corn and bean stew from the Narraganset Indians of New England.

* The noun & attributive adjective pairs "Indiane" en "Indiërs" translate into English as "Indians", though in Afrikaans the former is reserved for American Indians and the latter for Asian Indians.

Lindiwe Mazibuko

2011-11-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

Ek het op Saterdag middagete saam met my vriend Elrich gehad. Dis altyd lekker wanneer ek 'n kans kry om Afrikaans te oefen. Natuurlik was Suid-Afrika een van die onderwerpe van gesprek.

Elrich wil terugtrek Kaapstad toe en vir die 2014 Demokratiese Alliansie veldtog werk. Die DA is nie perfek nie, maar albei van ons dink dis 'n beter kies as die ANC vir die toekoms van die land. 'n Goeie voorbeeld van die groot verskil tussen die twee politieke partye kan raakgesien word deur die optrede van Julius Malema en Lindiwe Mazibuko.

Malema is welbekend vir sy haatspraak soos "shoot the Boer." Hier is 'n video van Mazibuko.

I had lunch with my friend Elrich on Saturday. It's always nice when I get a chance to practice Afrikaans. Naturally, South Africa was one of the topics of discussion.

Elrich wants to move back to Cape Town and work for the 2014 Democratic Alliance campaign. The DA isn't perfect, but both of us think it's a better choice than the ANC for the future of the country. A good example of the big difference between the two political parties can be seen through the actions of Julius Malema and Lindiwe Mazibuko.

Malema is well known for his hate speech like "Shoot the Boer." Here is a video from Mazibuko.

Tandems

2011-11-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Vanoggend op deel van die roete werk toe het ek agter 'n familie van vier op twee tandems fietsgery. Familietyd, oefening en vervoer alles in een! Ek het nog nooit op 'n tandem fietsgery, maar ek wil dit doen! Dit lyk pret!

This morning, for part of the way to work, I cycled behind a family of four on two tandem bikes. Family time, exercise, and transportation all in one! I've never ridden on a tandem bike before, but I want to! It looks fun!

Gestoomde voorgeregte

2011-10-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

Steamed Appetizers

Gisteraand het ek aandete geëet saam met my vriend Matt, 'n Amerikaner wat aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad gestudeer het. Baie Amerikaners is vertroud met Indiese voorgeregte, veral diepgebraaide kosse soos samoesas en pakoras. Dit mag as 'n verrassing kom dat Indiese kookkuns ook tradisionele gestoomde voorgeregte het. Ek het sooji dhokla gemaak, 'n spesialiteit van Gujarat. Terloops, my vriend Nikita wat my leer hoe om Indiese kos te kook is Gujarati :).

Ek het dié resep van "Manjula's Kitchen" gebruik, alhoewel ek kerrieblare in plaas van koljander gevoeg aangesien 'n ander dis alreeds die laasgenoemde gehad het.

Hier is die ander disse van die ete:

Aloo Dimer Dalna (eier en aartappel kerrie)
Matar Pulao (rys met soetertjies)
Lahsan Papad (knoffel-lensie skyfies)
Brinjal Chutney (eiervrug blatjang)
Amchur Chutney (mango blatjang)
Nimbu Chutney (lemmetjie blatjang)

Last night, I had dinner with my friend Matt, an American who studied at the University of Cape Town. Many Americans are familiar with Indian appetizers, especially deep-fried foods like samosas and pakoras. It may come as a surprise that Indian cuisine also has traditional steamed appetizers. I made sooji dhokla, a specialty from Gujarat. Incidentally, my friend Nikita who taught me how to cook Indian food, is Gujarati :).

I used this recipe from "Manjula's Kitchen", although I added curry leaves instead of cilantro since another dish already had the latter.

Here are the other dishes from the meal:

Aloo Dimer Dalna (egg and potato curry)
Matar Pulao (rice with sweetpeas)
Lahsan Papad (garlic-lentil crisps)
Brinjal Chutney (eggplant chutney)
Amchur Chutney (mango chutney)
Nimbu Chutney (lime chutney)

'n Vegetariese Afrikaner

2011-09-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

A Vegetarian Afrikaner

Vanaand het ek aandete saam met my vriend Elrich geëet. Nie net is hy 'n Afrikaner en 'n vegetariër nie, hy is ook 'n derde generasie lewenslange vegetariër o.O! Verassend, ne? Natuurlik is hy lief vir Indiese kos, die vegetariër-vriendelikste kookkuns ter wêreld in my opinie :).

Hier is wat ons gehad het:

Palak Paneer (Indiese kaas met romerige spinasiesous)
Jeera Aloo (komyn-aartappels)
Mirch Pulao (rys met soetrissie)
Lahsun Papad (knoffel-lensie skyfies)
Mango Chutney
Lime Chutney
Witwyn - Sommige sommeliers beveel rooiwyn aan vir Indiese kos, maar wit is ons verkies. Die soetheid en delikate smaak van die wyn en die sterk speserye van die kos is 'n lekker kombinasie. Gee dit 'n probeer!

Geen van die speserye in die drie hoofgeregte is herhaal nie :).

Bord 1 - Jeera Aloo (komyn-aartappels): komynsade, knoffelpoeier, swart kardamom, kaneelpoeier, mangapoeier

Bord 2 - Mirch Pulao (rys met soetrissie): vinkelsade, nigella, lourierblare, fenegrieksade, hing, steranys

Bord 3 - Palak Paneer (Indiese kaas met romerige spinasiesous): groen kardamom, swart mostertsade, fenegriekblare (baie verskillende smaak van die sade), koljandersade, gemmerpoeier

Tonight I had dinner with my friend Elrich. Not only is he an Afrikaner and a vegetarian, he's also a third-generation lifelong vegetarian o.O! Surprising, isn't it? Naturally, he loves Indian food, the most vegetarian-friendly cuisine in the world in my opinion.

Here's what we had:

Palak Paneer (Indian cheese with creamy spinach sauce)
Jeera Aloo (cumin potatoes)
Mirch Pulao (rice with sweet peppers)
Lahsun Papad (garlic-lentil crisps)
Mango Chutney
Lime Chutney
White Wine - Some sommeliers recommend red wine for Indian food, but white is our preference. The sweetness and delicate flavor of the wine and the strong spices of the food are a wonderful combination. Give it a try!

None of the spices were repeated in the three main dishes :).

Plate 1 - Jeera Aloo (cumin potatoes): cumin seeds, garlic powder, black cardamom, cinnamon powder, mango powder

Plate 2 - Mirch Pulao (rice with bell peppers): fennel seeds, nigella, bay leaves, fenugreek seeds, hing, star anise

Plate 3 - Palak Paneer (Indian cheese with spinach sauce): green cardamom, black mustard seeds, fenugreek leaves (very different flavor from the seeds), coriander (the seeds of the cilantro plant), ginger powder

Meer Indiese kos

2011-09-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

More Indian Food

Ek leer nog steeds my vriend Chris hoe om Indiese kos te kook. Vandag het ons die volgende voorberei:

Achari baingan (eiervrug in piekelspeserye; ek gebruik vinkel en nigella)
Aloo tikki (gekruide aartappel patties)
Dal (lensiebredie)
Jeera chawal (komynrys)

I'm still teaching my friend Chris how to cook Indian food. Today, we prepared the following:

Achari baingan (eggplant in pickling spices - I use fennel and nigella)
Aloo tikki (spiced potato patties)
Dal (lentil stew)
Jeera chawal (cumin rice)

Sterkte-oefening

2011-09-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

Strength Training

Ek het onlangs 'n nuwe stertke-oefening roetine begin. Ek het nie geweet die klein maar baie belangrike verskil tussen die frases "om gewig op te tel" en "om gewigte op te tel" nie. Ek het 'n paar vriende vertel dat ek die eerste gedoen het, maar ek het die tweede bedoel. Selfs al is die twee nie wedersyds uitsluitend nie, het die eerste frase dieselfde konnotasie in Engels en beteken gewoonlik om vet te raak. Oops!

I recently started a new strength training regimen. I didn't know the small, but very important distinction between the phrases "gaining weight" and "lifting weights." I told a few friends that I was doing the first, but I meant the second! Even though the two aren't mutually exclusive, the first phrase has the same connotation in English and usually means getting fat. Oops!

Vra nie, vertel nie

2011-09-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Vandag is die eerste amptelike dag van die nuwe Amerikaanse militêre beleid sonder "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". My pa was in die weermag en het 'n paar gay soldate geken. Dit was nie 'n groot kwessie nie. Soos hulle sê, "you don't have to be straight to shoot straight." Straf onprofesionele gedrag, nie sexualiteit nie. Vir al die soldate daar buite, straight of gay, dankie vir jou diens aan ons land!

Hier is 'n vid van 'n Amerikaanse soldaat wat aan sy pa uitkom.
Are you surprised?

Today is the first official day of the new US Military policy without "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." My father was in the army and knew a few gay soldiers. It wasn't a big deal. As they say, "you don't have to be straight, to shoot straight." Punish unprofessional conduct, not sexuality. For all the soldiers out there, straight or gay, thank you for your service to our country!

Here is a video from an American soldier coming out to his father.

Baie amandels

2011-09-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Lots of Almonds

Gewoonlik hier in Kalifornië wissel amandels van $7 tot $14 per pond, maar ek het onlangs 'n goeie afslag gevind. Die amandels wat ek gekoop het was net $4 per pond! Ek moes 10 pond koop vir die afslag, maar dis nie 'n probleem nie.

Amandels is baie gesond en het goeie vet, vitamien E, fiber en proteïen. Noudat ek weer gewigte optel, probeer ek om meer dinge soos amandels te eet in plaas van gemorskos soos Doritos. Ek probeer ook om minder soyaprodukte te vebruik. Soya kan gesond wees, maar matigheid is die beste, veral vir manne te wyte aan die plantoestrogenen wat dit bevat. Ek eet nog tofu en is lief vir dinge soos tubu chorim, 'n gekruide Koreaanse tofu dis, maar ek begin om amandelmelk te drink eerder as soya.

Amandelmelk klink soos 'n moderne uitvinding, maar dit was eintlik 'n belangrike bestanddeel in die kombuise van Middeleeuse Europa en die Midde-Ooste. Ek gebruik altyd amandelmelk vir die saffraansous van navrattan korma, een van my gunsteling Indiese geregte, maar ek het dit selde uit die karton gedrink. Egter het ek onlangs "Silk Almond Milk" probeer. Dis baie goed op sigself en het my geïnspireer om dit tuis te maak. Met 10 pond van amandels, sal ek genoeg hê!

Usually here in California, almonds range from $7 to $14 a pound, but I recently found a good discount. The almonds that I bought were only $4 a pound! I had to buy 10 pounds for the discount, but that isn't a problem.

Almonds are very healthy and contain good fats, vitamin E, fiber, and protein. Now that I'm lifting weights again, I'm trying to eat more things like almonds instead of junkfood like Doritos. I'm also trying to consume less soy products. Soy can be healthy, but moderation is best, especially for men due to the phytoestrogens it contains. I still eat tofu and love things like tubu chorim, a spicy Korean tofu dish, but I'm starting to drink almond milk instead of soy.

Almond milk sounds like a modern invention, but it was actually an important ingredient in the kitchens of Medieval Europe and the Mideast. I always use almond milk for the saffron sauce of navrattan korma, one of my favorite Indian dishes, but I rarely drank it out of the carton. However, I recently tried "Silk Almond Milk." It's really good by itself and has inspired me to make it at home. With 10 pounds of almonds, I'll have enough!

Rajma Masala, Veggie Pakoras, & Haldi Chawal

2011-09-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Ek het onlangs verhuis van die Outer Sunset na Ingleside. Die afgelope naweek het ek eindelik my eerste Indiese ete by die nuwe woonstel gekook. Ek raak nog gewoond aan die elektriese stoof, dus was die rys 'n bietjie "al dente" ;). Ek kan nie ook my potjie vir diepbraai gebruik nie, maar dis nie 'n groot probleem nie.

My vriend Justin was my sous chef en ons het saam met my nuwe kamermaats Jessi en Alex geëet. Na aandete het ons na "Nina's Heavenly Delights" gekyk, 'n oulike Skotse Indiese fliek. Ek het ook 'n derde kamermaat, Rick, maar hy het op dié aand vorige planne gehad. Egter het ek seker gemaak dat hy oorskiet kos gekry!

I recently moved from the Outer Sunset to Ingleside. This past weekend, I finally cooked my first Indian meal at the new apartment. I'm still getting accustomed to the electric stove, so the rice was a little "al dente" ;). I also can't use my potjie for deep-frying, but that's not a big problem.

My friend Justin was my sous chef and we ate with my new roommates Jessi and Alex. After dinner, we watched "Nina's Heavenly Delights," a cute Scottish-Indian flick. I also have a third roommate, Rick, but he had previous plans that night. However, I made sure he got leftovers!

Nederlandse en Vlaamse meesterwerke

2011-09-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

Dutch and Flemish Masterworks

Verlede naweek het ek die Nederlandse en Vlaamse meesterwerke van die Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo collectie by die SF Legion of Honor Museum gesien. Ek het saam met my Afrikaanssprekende vriend Elrich gegaan.

Die uitstalling was fantasties. Al die kunswerke was pragtig, maar my gunsteling was "Figures in a Snowstorm" deur Aert van der Neer. Dit was nie foto-realisties soos baie van die ander skilderye nie, maar die aandag aan detail was besonders, veral die sneeu en wind. Die hele collectie was baie indrukwekkend en dit was 'n voorreg om dit te sien!

Vir middagete het Elrich en ek Pagan Restaurant toe gegaan. Dit beteken nie die Engelse woord "pagan" nie, maar eerder is vernoem na 'n antieke stad in Birma. Die restaurant het ook Thai kos, maar ons albei het Birmaanse geregte bestel. Birmaanse kos smaak soos 'n kombinasie van Thai en Indiese kos. Dit was lekker!

Last weekend, I saw the Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection at the SF Legion of Honor Museum. I went with my Afrikaans-speaking friend Elrich.

The exhibit was fantastic. All the works of arts were beautiful, but my favorite was "Figures in a Snowstorm" by Aert van der Neer. It wasn't photo-realistic like many of the other paintings, but the attention to detail was extraordinary, especially the snow and wind. The entire collection was very impressive and it was a privilege to see it!

For lunch, Elrich and I went to Pagan Restaurant. It doesn't mean the English word "pagan", but is named for an ancient city in Burma instead. The restaurant also has Thai food, but we both ordered Burmese dishes. Burmese food tastes like a combination of Thai and Indian food. It was great!

Groentesop en pistachio burfi

2011-08-08T23:43:00.000-07:00

Vegetable Soup and Indian Pistachio Cardamom Fudge

Dit is 'n baie maklike sop wat ek van my gewese vriend Doug geleer het. Vars groente, lensies en bruinrys gekruide met roosmaryn, tiemie, basilie en salie is 'n heerlike kombinasie. Op die ingewing van die oomblik het ek ook Indiese pistasie burfi gemaak wat een van my gunsteling nageregte is.

This is a really easy soup that I learned from my ex, Doug. Fresh vegetables, lentils, and brown rice seasoned with rosemary, thyme, basil, and sage is a delicious combination. On a whim, I also made Indian pistachio burfi, which is one of my favorite desserts.

Baingan Bharta & Masoor Dal

2011-08-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

Middagete draf / Lunchtime Jog

2011-07-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

Na 'n beenbesering, het ek 'n paar maande gelede draf gestop. Ek het baie gewig aangesit, maar ek kon net nie tyd vind om te oefen nie. Ek is nie 'n oggendmens nie en ek is te moeg na werk. Dus het ek besluit aan om teen middagete tyd te draf aangesien daar 'n funksionele stort by die werk is. Alhoewel kon ek (alhoewel ek kon?) 'n rukkie terug 4.5 myl draf, kon ek vandag net 0.8 myl doen. Ten spyte daarvan, voel ek baie goed! Ek hoop ek kan daarvan 'n gewoonte maak!

After a leg injury, I stopped jogging for a few months. I put on a lot of weight, but I just couldn't find time to exercise. I'm not a morning person and I'm too tired after work. So I decided to jog at lunchtime since there's a functional shower at work. Although I could jog 4.5 miles a while back, today I could only do 0.8 miles. Regardless, I feel great! I hope I can make it a habit!

Shabbat Falafel

2011-02-26T13:16:00.000-08:00

Gisteraand was my kamermaat se welkom terug van Israel Birthright Shabbat partytjie. Ek is lief vir falafel, dus het ek dit vir die geleentheid gemaak. Ek het dié resep gebruik, behalwe sonder die koringmeel. Tuisgemaakte falafel is lekker!

Last night was my roommate's welcome back from Israel Birthright Shabbat party. I love falafel, so I made it for the occasion. I used this recipe, except without the wheat flour. Homemade falafel is awesome!

Jai Ho

2011-02-24T10:58:00.000-08:00

Ek leer my vriend Chris hoe om Indiese kos te maak soos my vriendin Nikita in Boston (nou Londen) het baie jare gelede vir my gedoen. Eerste het Chris 'n Indiese kookkuns 'starter pack' nodig gehad. Daar was een probleem. Die enigste Indiese kruidenierswinkel wat ek in San Francisco geken het, was Bombay Bazar in die Mission wat nie meer in die besigheid :(. Die meeste Indiese bestanddele is ook beskikbaar by organic kruidenierswinkels soos Other Avenues, maar die speserye is gewoonlik duurder. Gelukkig het ons van Jai Ho naby Japantown uitgevind.

Ten eerste was Chris en ek 'n bietjie verdwaal. Die straatadres van die winkel was op Fillmore, maar ons kon dit nie vind nie. Uiteindelik het ons 'n Jai Ho teken gesien wat om die hoek gewys het. Dit was aan die ander kant van die winkelsentrum. Dit was baie kleiner as Bombay Bazaar, maar het alles gehad wat ons nodig gehad het! Hier is die bestanddele wat ons gekoop het:

En hier is 'n paar foto's van die aandete van matar paneer (Indiese kaas met groenertjies) en jeera chawal (komynrys).

Jai Ho is ook die naam van hierdie liedjie van die fliek Slumdog Millionaire en beteken 'mag oorwinning joune wees'.

I'm teaching my friend Chris how to cook Indian food, like my friend Nikita in Boston (now London) did for me many years ago. First, Chris needed an Indian cuisine "starter pack." There was one problem. The only Indian grocery store that I knew of in San Francisco was Bombay Bazar in the Mission, which is no longer in business :(. Most Indian ingredients are also available at organic grocery stores like Other Avenues, but the spices are usually more expensive. Fortunately we found out about Jai Ho near Japantown.

At first, Chris and I were a little lost. The street address of the store was on Fillmore, but we couldn't find it. Finally we saw a Jai Ho sign that pointed around the corner. It was on the other side of the shopping center. It was much smaller than Bombay Bazar, but had everything we needed! Here are the ingredients we bought:

And here's the dinner of matar paneer (Indian cheese and green peas) and jeera chawal (cumin rice).

Jai Ho is also the name of this song from the film Slumdog Millionaire and means "may victory be yours."

Nou / Now

2011-02-02T16:29:00.000-08:00

Dit gaan goed met my gebaretaalkursus, maar een uitsondering. Die woord 'nou' in ASL is baie, baie moeilik vir my. Dit gebruik die letter 'y' met albei hande. Ek kan die 'y' met my regterhand maak, maar dit is amper onmoontlik met my linkerhand. Ek hoop net dit is nog nie 'n simptoom van my ulnar neuropathy nie :(.

My sign language course is going well, with one exception. The word "now" in ASL is extremely difficult for me. It uses the letter "y" with both hands. I can make the "y" with my right hand, but it's nearly impossible with my left hand. I just hope it isn't another symptom of my ulnar neuropathy nie :(.

ASL Week 1

2011-01-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

Gisteraand was die eerste aand van my Amerikaanse gebaretaal kursus. Die klasgrootte was baie klein, met net die onderwyser en twee studente, insluitend my. Ek was 'n bietjie skaam aangesien ek baie onvoorbereid was, veral in vergelyking met die ander student. Sy het reeds 'n bietjie ASL gestudeer, maar sy wou die beginner se ASL kursus inskryf want sy is van Hongarye en is nie vol vertroue met haar Engels nie. Ek dink sy praat Engels baie goed, maar ek verstaan dit is moeilik genoeg om 'n ander taal met jou moedertaal te leer!

Soos enige taalkursus het ons met die alfabet en 'n paar eenvoudige frases begin, soos die volgende:

Wat is jou naam?
Waar woon jy?
Waarvandan kom jy?

Die grammatika is baie verskillend van dié van Engels of Afrikaans. Byvoorbeeld, 'wat is jou naam' is 'wat naam jy' in ASL. Gesiguitdrukkings is ook baie belangrik. Vir ja/nee vrae moet jy jou wenkbroue optel, maar vir wie/wat/waar/wanneer/waarom vrae moet jy jou wenkbroue afbring. Dit was baie interessant en ek sien uit na die volgende week!

Last night was the first night of my American Sign Language course. The class size was pretty small, with just the teacher and two students, including myself. I was a little embarrassed, since I was very unprepared, especially compared to the other student. She has already studied ASL a bit, but she wanted to enroll in the beginner's ASL course because she's from Hungary and isn't confident in her English. I think she speaks English pretty well, but I understand it's difficult enough to learn another language with your first language!
Like any language course, we started with the alphabet and a few simple phrases, such as the following:

What is your name?
Where do you live?
Where are you from?

The grammar is very different from that of English or Afrikaans. For example, "what is your name" is "what name you" in ASL. Facial expressions are also very important. For yes/no questions, you need to lift your brows up, but for who/what/where/when/why questions, you need to bring your eyebrows down. It was very interesting and I look forward to next week!

Tweede porsies / Second Helpings

2011-01-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

Selfs al ry ek amper elke dag met my fiets werk toe, het ek nog steeds 'n probleem met my gewig. Wanneer ek aandete eet gaan ek gewoonlik vir tweede, of selfs derde porsies! Dit is 'n baie slegte gewoonte wat ek probeer om te breek, maar dit is moeilik. Gisteraand het ek fettuccine arrabiata gemaak, maar na die eerste bord kos het ek net 'n bietjie yoghurt en babawortels geëet. Hopelik sal dit in 2011 'n nuwe gewoonte word!

Even though I bike to work nearly every day, I'm still having a problem with my weight. When I eat dinner, I usually go for second, or even third helpings! It's a bad habit that I'm trying to break, but it's hard. Last night, I made fettuccine arrabiata, but after the first plate of food I only ate a little yogurt and baby carrots. Hopefully this will become a new habit for 2011!

Hope Sandoval

2011-01-04T17:02:00.000-08:00

'n Paar dae gelede terwyl ek na Hollyoaks gekyk het, het ek 'n bekende stem gehoor. Dit was die enchanting* Hope Sandoval wat 'n deel van Mazzy Star is, een van my gunsteling musiekgroep van die Negentigs. Ek het geen idee dat sy ook in nog 'n musiekgroep is, staan bekend as Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions. Sy het 'n onvergeetlike stem en ek is baie bly om weer haar musiek te hoor. Dankie Hollyoaks! Luister na hierdie liedjie en hoor vir jouself.

A few days ago while watching Hollyoaks, I heard a familiar voice. It was the enchanting Hope Sandoval, who is a member of Mazzy Star, one my favorite bands from the Nineties. I had no idea that she was also in another band known as Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions. She has an unforgettable voice and I'm really happy to hear her music again. Thanks Hollyoaks! Listen to this song and hear for yourself.

* Hoe sê jy enchanting?

ASL

2011-01-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

My ouers en suster weet nog nooit wat om vir my te kry vir Kersfees nie, dus stuur hulle geld aan my. Dis nie 'n probleem nie, want dis pret om my eie gawes te koop :). Hierdie jaar het ek besluit om die geld te gebruik om vir 'n taalkursus by ABC Language Exchange te registreer . Ongelukkig is daar nie 'n Afrikaanskursus beskikbaar nie, dus het ek 'n ander taal gekies wat ek in belangstel.

Toe ek 'n kind was, was ek gefassineer met Amerikaanse Gebaretaal wat ook bekend staan as ASL. Ek het probeer van 'n biblioteekboek om dit te leer, maar dit was moeilik. Hierdie keer sal ek deelneem aan 'n 12 weke ASL kursus by die bogenoemde taalskool. Hopelik sal dit 'n stewige grondslag gee vir toekomstige studies!

My parents and sister never know what to get me for Christmas, so they send me money. It's not a problem, since it's fun to buy my own gifts. This year, I decided to use the money to register for a language course at ABC Language Exchange. Unfortunately, there isn't an Afrikaans course available, so I chose another language that I'm interested in.

When I was a child, I was fascinated with American Sign Language, also known as ASL. I tried to learn it from a library book, but that was difficult. This time, I'm taking part in a 12-week ASL course at the aforementioned language school. Hopefully it'll provide a solid foundation for future studies!

15.000 woorde / 15,000 Words

2010-12-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

Na 'n jaar het ek uiteindelik aangehou om my NaNoWriMo roman te skryf! My doel was 15.000 woorde in Desember en ek het 'n dag vroeg dit bereik :). Die boek het nou 'n totaal van 66.000 woorde en sal waarskynlik omtrent 90.000 woorde wees wanneer dit voltooi is. Voorspoedige Nuwe Jaar almal!

After a year, I finally got back to writing my NaNoWriMo novel! My goal was 15,000 words in December and I reached it a day early :). The book now has a total of 66,000 words and will probably be around 90,000 words when finished. Happy New Year everyone!

Handwoordenboek Engels-Nederlands / English-Dutch Dictionary

2010-12-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

Ek was besoek deur 'n kollega van die vorige kantoor (oor 'n jaar gelede) waar ek gewerk het. Sy is 'n Nederlander en sal binnekort terugkeer na Nederland. Toe sy gehoor het oor my Afrikaanse studies, het sy ook my aangemoedig om Nederlands aan te leer. Een van die dae, maar ek wil eers vlot Afrikaans praat ('n lang tyd weg). Vandag het sy my die van Dale Handwoordenboek Engels-Nederlands gegee. Wat 'n baie aangename verrassing!

I was visited by a coworker from the previous office (over a year ago) where I used to work. She's Dutch and will be returning to the Netherlands soon. When she heard about my Afrikaans studies, she also encouraged me to learn Dutch. One of these days, but first I want to speak fluent Afrikaans (a long time away). Today she gave me the van Dale English-Dutch dictionary. What a pleasant surprise!

Vriend in die kombuis / Friend in the Kitchen

2010-11-29T09:21:00.000-08:00

Ek het vir 'n baie lang tyd 'n fietsry en hardloop vennoot gesoek en ek het uiteindelik een gevind! Sy naam is Chris en ons het 2 maande gelede (ek dink) ontmoet deur ons wedersydse vriend Justin. Hy en ek het vir die afgelope vier naweke deur Golden Gate Park fietsgery en vir die afgelope twee weke het ons ook na die fietsry gehardloop.

Ons het onlangs begin om saam te kook. Dit is die perfekte manier om na oefening te ontspan! Chris is ook lief vir Indiese kos en wil leer hoe om dit te kook, maar hy kan nie kos eet wat te pikant is nie. Verrassend, ne? Ons gebruik minder chili as gewoonlik, maar daar is ook Indiese geregte wat natuurlik nie-pikant is, soos Jeera Chawal (komynrys).

Op Sondag het ons die volgende drie geregte gemaak: die bogenoemde Jeera Chawal, Matar Dal (gesplete droë ertjie kerrie) en Bengalese styl Bandhgobhi Hari Matar Tarkari (kool en groenertjies). Toe ek 'n kind was het ek nie van kool gehou nie, maar dié gereg het my gemoed verander. 'n Vorige kamermaat Michelle (toe ek in Boston woon) het die resepteboek "Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cookery" van die biblioteek gekry wat die resep bevat. Dit is die grootste resepteboek wat ek ooit gesien het (800+ bladsye!) en was baie pret om te lees.

Hier is 'n paar foto's van Chris besig om sy eerste Indiese ete te kook.

I've been looking for a biking and running partner for a long time and I finally found one! His name is Chris and we met two months ago (I think) through our mutual friend, Justin. He and I have biked through Golden Gate Park for the past four weekends, and for the past two, we've also ran after biking.

Recently, we've started cooking together. It's the perfect way to relax after exercise! Chris also loves Indian food and wants to learn how to cook it, but he can't eat food that is too spicy. Surprising, huh? We use less hot pepper than usual, but there are also Indian dishes that are naturally non-spicy, like Jeera Chawal (cumin rice).

On Sunday, we made the following three dishes: the aforementioned Jeera Chawal, Matar Dal (split-pea curry), and Bengali-style Bandhgobhi Hari Matar Tarkari (cabbage and green peas). When I was a kid, I didn't like cabbage, but this dish changed my mind. A previous roommate, Michelle (when I lived in Boston), got the cookbook "Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cookery" from the library, which contained the recipe. It's the largest cookbook that I've ever seen (800+ pages) and was a lot of fun to read.

Here are a few photos of Chris cooking his first Indian meal.

The Shattering

2010-11-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

Ek is 'n gamer en een van my gunsteling rekenaarspeletjies is World of Warcraft, wat 'n MMO (massively multiplayer online) is. Dit is een van die gewildste speletjies in die wêreld en het 13 miljoen+ spelers. Op Desember 7 sal Cataclysm die nuwe expansion begin, maar vandag se patch is "The Shattering" waar die hele aanlyn speletjie van die grond af verander. As jy ook 'n gamer is, moet jy dit probeer!

I'm a gamer and one of my favorite computer games is World of Warcraft, which is an MMO (massively multiplayer online). It's one of the most popular games in the world and has 13 million+ players. On December 7th, Cataclysm, the new expansion, begins, but today's patch is "The Shattering," where the whole online game changes from the ground up. If you're also a gamer, you have to try it out!

Brand op die strand

2010-11-13T21:59:00.000-08:00

Hollyoaks in 2010

2010-11-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Selfs al is ek 'n Amerikaner, ek hou van Britse TV, veral Hollyoaks. Dis nie so gewild soos ander Britse sepies soos Coronation Street en Emmerdale, maar Hollyoaks is beslis my gunsteling. Ek hou van al die verhaallyne, maar daar is twee wat veral interessant en nie-stereotipies is. Die een is oor twee bi-manne, Ste en Brendan, wat in 'n abusive verhouding is en die ander is oor 'n transgendered vroulike tot manlike seun genaamd Jason.

Jason is biologies vroulik en voel soos 'n seun in ‘n meisie se liggaam, maar hou nog van seuns. Genderidentiteit is nie dieselfde soos sexualiteit nie, en dis cool dat die program dit verstaan. Ste, die slagoffer in die abusive* verhouding, was die abuser* in sy vorige verhouding met 'n vrou. Verrassend is sy eks-vriendin* sy grootste ondersteuner. Haar naam is Amy en sy is een van my gunsteling karakters.

Amy het 'n lang tyd gelede haar eks-kêrel en abuser vergewe. Dis 'n baie lang storie, maar Ste het na hulle break-up help gekry en 'n beter mens geword. Amy weet wel die tekens van abuse* en probeer om Ste te help in plaas van om net te sê "karma is a bitch." Amy is baie cool.

Die ander verhaallyne in Hollyoaks is ook baie goed en ek beveel die program hoog aan. As jy nie in die VK woon nie, kan jy Hollyoaks op Youtube kyk by youtube.com/tvmogel08.

* Hoe sê jy abuse en ex-girlfriend in Afrikaans?

Even though I’m an American, I like British TV, especially Hollyoaks. It’s not as popular as other British soaps like Coronation Street and Emmerdale, but Hollyoaks is definitely my favorite. I like all the storylines, but there are two that are particularly interesting and non-stereotypical. One is about two bi men, Ste and Brendan, who are in an abusive relationship and the other is about a transgendered, female-to-male boy named Jason.

Jason is biologically female and feels like a boy in a girl’s body, but still likes boys. Gender identity is not the same as sexuality, and it’s cool that the show understands this. Ste, the victim in the abusive relationship, was the abuser in his previous relationship with a woman. Surprisingly, his ex-girlfriend is his biggest supporter. Her name is Amy and she’s one of my favorite characters.

Amy forgave his ex-boyfriend and abuser a long time ago. It’s a long story, but Ste got help after their break-up and became a better person. Amy knows well the signs of abuse en tries to help Ste, instead of just saying “karma is a bitch.” Amy’s pretty cool.

The other storylines in Hollyoaks are also really good and I highly recommend the show. If you don’t live in the UK, you can watch Hollyoaks on Youtube at youtube.com/tvmogel08.

Spyker / Nail

2010-10-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

Ek het vanoggend oor 'n spyker met my fiets gery :(. Nog 'n pap wiel. Ek was nog twee myl van die werk af, dus ek moes die trein neem. Ek moes ook my fiets buite 'n kafee vasketting want fietse is nie toegelaat op MUNI nie (hopelik is dit nog daar). Ek was net 20 minute laat, maar wat 'n irritasie! Gelukkig sal 'n kollega my later na die cafe toe neem en dan sal ons na die fietswinkel gaan. Ek moet leer hoe om 'n fietsband om te ruil!

This morning I rode over a nail with my bike :(. Another flat tire. I was still two miles from work, so I had to catch the train. I also had to lock my bike outside of a cafe since bikes aren't allowed on Muni (hopefully it's still there). I was only 20 minutes late, but what a hassle! Luckily a coworker is taking me to the cafe later and then we're going to the bike shop. I need to learn how to change a bike tire!

Selfoonwekkers en heuwels / Cellphone alarms and Hills

2010-10-19T13:13:00.000-07:00

Ek probeer nog om ‘n oggendmens te word. Ek het 6:45vm wakker geword, maar ek het nie van die bed tot 7:15vm uitgeklim. Ek gebruik my selfoon soos ‘n wekker en stel dit drie keer, 15 minute apart. Ek weet dat dit ‘n slegte gewoonte is en ek gaan probeer om dit te stop.

In ander nuus fietsry ek op die hele weskant van die baie groot heuwel naby my werk. Vanoggend was net die derde keer. Die eerste keer het ek dit gedoen (verlede week), my longe het gevoel asof hulle gaan bars! Een van die dae sal ek op die ooskant fietsry, maar daardie kant is baie moeiliker.

I'm still trying to become a morning person. I woke up at 6:45am, but I didn't get out of bed until 7:15am. I use my cell like an alarm clock and set it three times, 15 minutes apart. I know it's a bad habit and I'm going to try to stop it.

In other news, I'm cycling up the entire west side of the huge hill near work. This morning was the third time. The first time I did it, my lungs felt like they were going to burst! One of these days I'll cycle up the east side, but that side is much harder.

Wedrendag / Raceday

2010-10-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

Nog 'n groot Indiese aandete / Another Big Indian Dinner

2010-09-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

My vriende was lief vir die vorige Indiese aandete, dus het ek besluit om 'n nog groter een te maak :)! Dit was weer vegan en koring-vry sodat my vriendin Lailah alles kon eet. Hierdie keer wou ek die verskil tussen Noord- en Suid-Indiese kookkuns wys. Ek het twee hoofgeregte en twee voorgeregte bedien: navrattan sabzi korma (Noord-Indiese 'nege-juweel' groente-kerrie), snybeet en ui pakoras (Noord-Indiese poffertjies), botterskorsie sambar (Suid-Indiese ertjie-bredie) en masala vadas (Suid-Indiese urud dal poffertjies). Ek wou seker maak dat ek genoeg kos vir agt mense gekook het, maar ek het te veel gemaak! Alhoewel dit nie 'n probleem was nie, want oorskiet is nog beter :).

As jy nuuskierig is oor vegetariese Indiese kos (die beste vegetariese kos in die wêreld in my opinie) beveel ek aan die volgende resepteboeke:

The Indian Vegetarian deur Neelam Batra
Dakshin: Vegetarian Cuisine from South India deur Chandra Padmanabhan

My friends loved the previous Indian dinner, so I decided to cook an even bigger one! It was vegan and wheat-free again so that my friend Lailah could eat everything. This time, I wanted to show the difference between North and South Indian cuisine. I served two main dishes and two appetizers: navrattan sabzi korma (North Indian "nine-jewel" vegetable curry), swiss chard and onion pakoras (North Indian fritters), butternut squash sambar (South Indian pea stew), and masala vadas (South Indian urud dal fritters). I wanted to make sure that I cooked enough food for eight people, but I made too much! Though, this wasn't a problem since leftovers are even better :).

If you're curious about vegetarian Indian food (the best vegetarian food in the world, in my opinion), I recommend the following cookbooks:

The Indian Vegetarian by Neelam Batra
Dakshin: Vegetarian Cuisine from South India by Chandra Padmanabhan

Maak masala vadas / making masala vadas

Groente vir onderste laag van die korma / vegetables for the bottom layer of the korma

Braai die pakoras / frying the pakoras

Pappads

Die korma met saffraansous en gebraaide neute en rosyne bo-laag / The korma with saffron sauce and fried nut and raisin top layer

Sambar

Masala vadas

Pakoras

Alles / Everything

Peach cobbler nagereg / dessert van Lailah en Will!

Brug tot brug / Bridge to Bridge

2010-09-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Ek het net nou geregistreer vir my eerste wedren in 6 jaar! Dit is die Glide Floss Bridge to Bridge 7K/12K op 3 Oktober wat die Noord-Kalifornië Spesiale Olimpiese Spele bevoordeel. Die renbaan loop van die Bay Bridge na Golden Gate. Dit behoort natuurskoon en pret te wees. Ek kan nie wag nie!

I just registered for my first race in 6 years! It’s the Glide Floss Bridge to Bridge 7K/12K on October 3rd, which benefits the Northern California Special Olympics. The course runs from the Bay Bridge to Golden Gate. It should be scenic and fun. I can't wait!

Wie weit / Hoe ver / How Far

2010-09-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

So my vordering met Duits gaan baie stadig. Dit is baie moeilik vir my om my aksent en uitspraak te verander wanneer ek oorskakel tale. Ewenwel, ek geniet luister na Duitse musiek. Jy hoef nie al die woorde verstaan te geniet nie, want jy kan nog die gevoel verstaan. Hier is 'n mooi, droefgeestige liedjie van die musiekgroep Klee wat ek vir die eerste keer op 'Alles was zählt' (Alles wat sake) gehoor het.

So my progress with German is going very slowly. It's quite difficult for me to change my accent and pronunciation when I switch languages. Even so, I enjoy listening to German music. You don't need to understand all the words to enjoy it, since you can still understand the emotions. Here's a beautiful, wistful song from the band Klee that I first heard on "Alles was zählt" (All That Matters).

Wie weit (Hoe ver / How Far)

Draf werk toe / Jog to Work

2010-09-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Vanoggend het ek vir die eerste keer 7km werk toe gedraf! Ek was stadig, maar ek het dit gedoen! Ek het die idee gekry toe ek uitgevind het dat daar 'n werkende stort by die kantoor is. Ek wou nie saam met 'n rugsak draf nie, so ek het gister 'n tweede stel van werkklere gebring.

Een van die dae hoop ek ook om na werk huis toe te draf, maar vir nou sal ek net terug fietsry. Ek beplan een keer per week om dit doen en miskien tweede keer per week in 'n paar maande.

This morning I jogged nearly 4.5 miles to work for the first time! I was slow, but I did it! I got the idea when I found out that there's a working shower at the office. I didn't want to jog with a backpack, so yesterday I brought a second set of work clothes.

One of these days I hope to jog back home after work, but for now I'll just ride my bike back. I plan to do this once a week and maybe twice a week in a few months.

Te veel e-pos! / Too Much E-Mail!

2010-09-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

Ek het vandag amper 2,000 e-pos boodskappe geskrap. My gmail inbox is eindelik skoon! Terloops, hoe sê jy "inbox" in Afrikaans?

Today, I deleted nearly 2,000 email messages. My gmail inbox is finally clean! By the way, how do you say "inbox" in Afrikaans?

Saag Pulao, Rajma Rasmisa, Aloo Pakora

2010-09-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

Vanaand het ek saam met my vriende Will en Lailah 'n groot Indiese aandete gehad. Ek het gekook en hulle het die skottelgoed gewas. Eksie perfeksie!

Tonight I had a big Indian dinner with my friends Will and Lailah. I cooked and they washed the dishes. Excellent!

Ek het my potjie vir diepbraai gebruik.

I used my South African cast-iron pot for deep-frying.

Ek het dikwels Indiese geregte saam met vlakte basmati rys of haldi chawal (Indiese geelrys) bedien, maar hierdie keer wou ek iets anders.

I usually serve Indian dishes with plain basmati rice or yellow rice, but this time I wanted something different.

Saag pulao, rajma rasmisa, aloo pakora

Rys met groenteblare, rooiboontjie-kerrie, kekerertjiemeel beslag gebraaide aartappels

Rice with leafy greens, kidney bean curry, chickpea batter-fried potatoes

Ek het nie vasgestelde resepte vir die bogenoemde geregte nie, maar jy kan baie weergawe aanlyn vind. Probeer een :)!

I don't have set recipes for the aforementioned dishes, but you can find many versions online. Try one :)!

Plaatkoekies / SA Flapjacks

2010-09-05T12:09:00.001-07:00

Ek het vir die eerste keer plaatkoekies gemaak :). Ek het die resep van Rainbow Cooking gebruik. Heerlik!

I made South African flapjacks for the first time :). I used the recipe from Rainbow Cooking. Delicious!

Geen takeaway of restaurant kos nie / No Take-out or Restaurant Food

2010-09-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Ek het dit gedoen! Ek het verlede maand nóg takeaway nóg restaurant kos gekoop! Ek het nog meer as net tuisgemaakte geregte geëet, soos clif bars, so die titel van my vorige blogboodskap moes gewees het 'Tuisgemaakte kos en verskeie kruideniersware' ;). Voor hierdie persoonlike uitdaging het ek gemiddeld $30 per dag op kos gespandeer, maar in Augustus dit was gemiddeld $16. Baie beter, maar ek dink ek sal in September probeer om net $10 per dag te spandeer. Hier is 'n paar van die kosse wat ek gedurende Augustus gemaak het.

I did it! Last month, I bought neither take-out nor restaurant food! I still ate more than just homecooked dishes, like clif bars, so the title of my previous blog entry should have been "Homecooked food and various groceries" ;). Before this personal challenge, I spent an average of $30 a day on food, but in August the average was $16 :). Much better, but I think I'll try to spend only $10 a day in September. Here are a few of the foods I made during August.

Haldi chawal & matar dal (geelrys en gesplete droë ertjie kerrie / yellow rice and split-pea curry)

Pannekoek / South African crepe

Seitan tikka masala

Koreaanse styl eiers en verskeie banchan / Korean-style eggs and various banchan

Tofu tikka masala, aloo posto, mapo doufu (van my vriend, Baker)

Aanvulling

2010-08-31T12:19:00.000-07:00

Ek het 'n e-pos van my dokter oor my bloedtoets gekry. Eerder as die oor-die-toonbank soort moet ek 'n voorskrif aanvulling neem. Ek is bly dat ek vroeër eerder as later my vitamien D-gebrek ontdek het.

I received an email from my doctor regarding my blood work. Rather than the over-the-counter kind, I need to take a prescription supplement. I'm glad I discovered my vitamin D-deficiency sooner than later.

Vitamien D

2010-08-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

My bloed is verlede week getoets. Soos ek vermoed het, is ek vitamien D-gebrekkig. Die gewone bedrag van vitamien D in die bloed wissel tussen 30 en 100ng/ml. Ek het net 11 :(. Ek gaan 'n vitamien D aanvulling koop en spandeer meer tyd in die son.

My blood was tested last week. As I suspected, I am vitamin D-deficient. The normal amount of vitamin D in the blood varies between 30-100ng/ml. I only have 11 :(. I'm going to buy a vitamin D supplement and spend more time in the sun.

Ongeluk

2010-08-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

Accident

My kamermaat is die dag na sy verjaarsdag deur 'n motor getref! Gelukkig is hy goed en sy beserings is klein met geen gebreekte bene nie. Wat 'n wonderwerk!

My roommate was hit by a car the day after his birthday! Luckily, he's well and his injuries are minor, with no broken bones. What a miracle!

Kamermaat se verjaarsdag

2010-08-27T00:15:00.000-07:00

Roommate's birthday

Gister was my kamermaat se verjaarsdag, so ek het weer tikka masala gemaak wat een van sy gunstelinge is. Ek het my vorige resep verander want twee van die partytjie gaste was vegan en een van hulle het ook nie koring geëet nie. Ek het ook aloo posto (aartappels met papawersaadsous) gemaak. Dit is 'n tradisionele Bengali gereg en is baie smaaklik te wyte aan die gebraaide papawersade en die vyf-speserye mengsel genaamd panch phoran. Ek beveel dit hoogs aan!

Yesterday was my roommate's birthday, so I made tikka masala again, which is one of his favorites. I changed my previous recipe since two of the party guests were vegan, and one of them also didn't eat wheat. I also made aloo posto (potatoes with poppy seed sauce). It's a traditional Bengali dish and is very tasty due to the roasted poppy seeds and the five-spice mixture named panch phoran. I highly recommend it!

Gebraaide tofu / Grilled Tofu

Panch phoran en papawersade / Bengali five-spice medley and poppy seeds

Om die speserye vir die aloo posto te braai / Frying the spices for the aloo posto

Aartappels en soetpatats (ek dikwels voeg soetpatats by aartappel resepte) / Potatoes and sweet potatoes (I often add sweet potatoes to potato recipes)

Baker se sun tea (sontee in Afrikaans?)

Lekkergoed vinkelsade / Candy Fennel Seeds

Ek, my kamermaat Will, Casey en Ben

Lailah, Will, Baker, Casey, Ben en Justin

Lailah se BAIE lekker bosbessen en perske pastei / Lailah's awesome blueberry and peach crisp

Peper, my vriende se nuwe hond / Pepper, my friends' new dog

Kloksgewys van bo: Tofu tikka masala, basmati rys, aloo posto en Baker se mapo doufu (die beste vegetariese mapo doufu van San Francisco)

Sonnige Sondag

2010-08-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

Sunny Sunday

San Francisco se weer is 'n bietjie snaaks. Daar is baie mikroklimate en Herfs is warmer as Somer. Sondag was sonnig en ek het vir die eerste keer in 'n lang tyd in die son gelê.

Hier is 'n artikel met 'n interessante perspektief oor vitamien D, sonskyn en velkanker.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-05-21-doctors-sunshine-good_x.htm

San Francisco's weather is somewhat odd. There are many microclimates and Autumn is hotter than Summer. Sunday was sunny and I lay in the sun for the first time in a long while.

Here's an article with an interesting perspective regarding vitamin D, sunshine, and skin cancer.

Koreaanse styl eiers

2010-08-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Hier is 'n baie maklike resep vir Koreaanse styl eiers. Dit is nie 'n tradisionele een nie, maar dit is baie goed saam met regte egte Koreaanse banchan.

2 eiers
1 teelepels sesam olie
1 teelepel soyasous
1/2 teelepel suiker
olie vir braai

Meng alles goed en braai oor matige hitte tot die eiers ferm is. Sny in stroke en garneer met swart sesam sade. Bedien saam met rys en banchan.

Kloksgewys van bo: dubu chorim van Woo Ri, kkaennip van my ma, gepekelde groenuie van my ma en kimchi van Woo Ri. Baie dankie Ma!

Here's a very easy recipe for Korean-style eggs. It isn't a traditional one, but it's really good with authentic Korean banchan.

2 eggs
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
oil for frying

Mix everything well and fry over medium heat until the eggs are firm. Cut into strips and garnish with black sesame seeds. Serve with rice and banchan.

Clockwise from the top: dubu chorim from Woo Ri, kkaennip from my mother, pickled scallions from my mother, and kimchi from Woo Ri. Thanks, Mom!

Seitan Tikka Masala

2010-08-15T18:21:00.001-07:00

Hoender Tikka Masala is 'n Britse-Indiese gereg wat baie gewild in die VK is. Hier is 'n vegetariese weergawe wat tuisgemaakte seitan gebruik. My kamermaat is nie 'n vegetariër nie, maar hy is lief vir dit!

Seitan Bestanddele
1 teelepel komyn sade
1 teelepel mangopoeier
1 teelepel gemmerpoeier
1 teelepel chilipoeier
2 groen kardemom
2 swart kardemom
5 naeltjies
sout en peper na smaak

2 koppies vital wheat gluten

1/2 koppie jogurt
1/2 koppie room
1 koppie water

8 koppies groente broth
2 dun skyfies gemmer
1 stok kaneel

Metode
Maak die droë speserye baie fyn.

Meng goed met die vital wheat gluten.

Meng die jogurt, room en water.

Voeg by die droë bestanddele en knie vir 2 minute.

Kook in die broth saam met gemmer en kaneel vir 1 uur (aan beide kante vir 30 minute).

Sny en bak vir 20 minute teen 425F.

Kap in blokkies en ter syde stel.

Tikka Masala Bestanddele

2 eetlepel komyn sade
2 eetlepel koljander sade
1 teelepel mangopoeier
1 teelepel chilipoeier

2 lourierblare
4 knoffelhuisies, fyngekap
1 teelepel vars gemmer, fyngekap
4 eetlepels olie

1 & 1/2 koppies room
2 koppies pastasous

Metode
Maak die droë speserye baie fyn en ter syde stel. Braai die lourierblare, knoffelhuisies en gemmer in die olie vir 'n paar sekonde oor matige hitte. Gooi die droë speserye by en roer vir 'n paar sekonde oor lae hitte. Meng die vloeistof by en kook vir 5 minute oor matige hitte. Voeg die seitan blokkies by, roer goed en kook vir nog 5 minute. Bedien saam met basmati rys en geniet!

Chicken Tikka Masala is British Indian dish that's quite popular in the UK. Here's a vegetarian version that uses homemade seitan. My roommate isn't a vegetarian, but he loves this!

Seitan Tikka Masala

Seitan Ingredients
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp mango powder (amchur)
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp cayenne
2 green cardamom pods
2 black cardomom pods
5 cloves
salt and pepper to taste

2 cups vital wheat gluten

1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 cup cream
1 cup water

8 cups vegetable broth
2 thin slices of ginger
1 cinnamon stick

Directions
Finely grind the dry spices. Mix well with the vital wheat gluten. Mix the yogurt, cream, and water. Add to the dry ingredients and knead vir 2 minutes. Boil in the broth with the ginger and cinnamon for 1 hour (on both sides for 30 minutes). Slice and bake vir 20 minutes at 425F. Chop into cubes and set aside.

Tikka Masala Ingredients

2 Tbsp cumin seeds
2 Tbsp coriander seeds
1 tsp mango powder
1 tsp cayenne

2 bay leaves
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
4 Tbsp oil

1 & 1/2 cups cream
2 cups tomato sauce

Directions
Finely grind the dry spices and set aside. Sauté the bay leaves, garlic, and ginger in the oil for a few seconds over medium heat. Toss in the dry spices and stir for a few seconds over low heat. Mix the liquids in and simmer for five minutes over medium heat. Add the seitan cubes, stir well, and simmer for another five minutes. Serve with basmati rice and enjoy!

Pannekoeke

2010-08-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

South African "Pancakes" (but much more like a small American crepe)

Ek het vandag twee wonderlike Afrikaanse resepte-webwerwe gevind:

http://www.rainbowcooking.co.nz
http://babootie.com/

Die resep vir Pannekoek was een van die eerste wat ek gesien het. Ek hou van crepes en het besluit om dit te probeer. Ek het hierdie resep gebruik, maar die volgende keer sal ek die tweede resep.

My kamermaat het aangedring op die kaneelsuiker "tierstrepe".

Today I found two wonderful Afrikaans recipe sites:

http://www.rainbowcooking.co.nz
http://babootie.com/

The recipe for Pannekoek was one of the first that I saw. I like crepes and decided to try it. I used this recipe, but next time I'll use the second one.

My roommate insisted on the cinnamon sugar "tiger stripes."

Dun-vet

2010-08-13T12:34:00.001-07:00

Skinny-fat

Ek moet gewig verloor. Dit mag as 'n verrassing kom vir 'n paar van julle wat my Youtube videos gekyk het.

"Maar Tommy, jy lyk nie vet nie!"

Ek is "dun-vet". Ek weet dat dit laf klink, maar dis waar. My gewig is nie te hoog nie, maar my liggamsvet persentasie is.

Ek het onlangs 'n digitale skaal gekoop wat ook liggamsvet meet. Hier is my afmetings:

Gewig: 174# / 79kg
Liggamsvet persentasie: 26.2% :(

Dis nie goed nie. 8 tot 19% is gesond. Deesdae fietsry ek werk toe en het onlangs weer begin om te hardloop en gewig op te tel. My afmetings *sal* volgende maand beter wees!

I need to lose weight. This may come as a surprise for a few of you who have watched my Youtube videos.

"But Tommy, you don't look fat!"

I'm "skinny-fat." I know that this sounds silly, but it's true. My weight isn't too high, but my bodyfat percentage is.

I recently bought a digital scale that also measures bodyfat. Here are my measurements:

Weight: 174# / 79kg
Bodyfat Percentage: 26.2%

This isn't good. 8-19% is healthy. These days, I bike to work, and recently began to run and lift weights again. My measurements *will* be better next month!

Net my geluk

2010-08-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Just my Luck

Ek het vanoggend 6h30vm wakker geword (dit was 'n wonderwerk!) sodat ek kon swem... en die swembad was toe.

I woke up this morning at 6:30am (it was a miracle!) so that I could swim... and the pool was closed.

Swembad

2010-08-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

Ek het onlangs 'n swembad net 'n paar blokke van my woonstel af gevind. Ek hou daarvan om te swem, maar ek het nie geweet dat daar 'n swembad so naby my is nie. Daar is net een probleem. Die openbare ure is net 7vm tot 8:30vm :(! Swemspanne en privaatklasse gebruik dit die res van die tyd. Ek sal 'n oggendmens moet wees as ek gaan om te swem, maar ek is nogal 'n naguil. Dit gaan baie moeilik wees...

I recently found a swimming pool just a few blocks from my apartment. I like to swim, but I didn't know that there's a pool so close to me. There's just one problem. The public hours are just 7am-8:30am :(! Swim teams and private classes use it the rest of the time. I need to be a morning person if I'm going to swim, but I'm such a night owl. This is going to be really difficult...

Duitse Toeriste

2010-08-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

Ek het vandag 'n kans gehad om 'n bietjie Duits saam met drie Duitse toeriste te oefen. Dit was 'n verrassing vir hulle toe het ek gevra, "wie geht es Ihnen?" Ons het meestal in Engels gesels, maar aan die einde het ek gesê, "willkommen in San Francisco! Tschüs!"

I had a chance to practice a little German with three German tourists. It was a surprise for them when I asked "how are you?" We chatted mostly in English, but at the end I said, "welcome to San Francisco! Bye!"

Tuisgemaakte kos

2010-08-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Homecooked Food

Ek bestel te veel wegneemetes en eet te veel by restaurante. Ek spandeer dikwels $30 per dag op kos. My beursie huil al! Vir een maand gaan ek probeer om net tuisgemaakte kos te eet. Dit gaan baie moeilik wees want Chinese wegneemetes en pizza-aflewering is my kryptonite...

I order too much take-out food and eat at restaurants too often. I usually spend $30 a day on food. My wallet is crying! For one month, I'm going to try to only eat homecooked food. This is going to be very difficult since Chinese take-out and pizza delivery are my kryptonite...

Leer ook Duits

2010-07-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Also Learning German

My kamermaat het my aangemoedig om Duits te leer. Ek gebruik BYKI vir dit, soos Afrikaans en sal binnekort "Teach Yourself German" koop. Ek sal nog konsentreer op Afrikaans, maar sal probeer om tyd vir Duits te maak :).

My roommate has encouraged me to learn German. I'm using BYKI for it, like Afrikaans, and will soon buy "Teach Yourself German." I'll still concentrate on Afrikaans, but will try to make time for German :).

Fietsry, die goed en die sleg

2010-07-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Cycling, the Good and the Bad

Verlede week was die eerste keer in a lang tyd wat ek elke dag werk toe fietsgery. So ver vandeesweek het ek dieselfde gedoen. Ek voel goed, maar daar is een klein probleem. Ek het 'handlebar palsy', 'n soort van ulnar neuropathy'. Ek kry soms 'n 'pins and needles' sensasie in my linker pinkie en ringvinger wanneer ek my fiets ry. Ek het nuwe opgestopte fietsryhandskoene gekoop en ek verander dikwels die posisie van my hande op die stuur. Dit het 'n bietjie gehelp, maar ek sal nog my dokter gaan sien.

Last week was the first week in a long time that I cycled to work every day. So far this week, I've done the same. I feel good, but there's one small problem. I have "handlebar palsy," a type of "ulnar neuropathy." I sometimes get a "pins and needles" sensation in my left pinky and ring-finger when I ride my bicycle. I bought new padded bike gloves and I often change the position of my hands on the handlebars. It's helped a bit, but I'm still going to see my doctor.

Alles was zählt

2010-07-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

All That Matters

Gisteraand was "Duitse Sepie Nag" wat ek saam met my kamermaat geniet het. Will leer Duits en in dié aande kyk hy en ek na "Alles was zählt", 'n sepie oor atlete by 'n elite sportgerief. Ek verstaan nie Duits nie (miskien een van die dae), maar gelukkig het die Youtube clips onderskrifte :).

Will en ek eet selde saam, maar ek het baie vrye tyd na werk. Ek het besluit om Indiese kos te maak, die soort wat ek beste doen (dankie aan my Gujarati vriend, Nikita).

Gebakte Aloo Jeera (aartapels met komyn)
Baked Aloo Jeera (potatoes with cumin)

Word saam met Matar Dal (kerrie van geel-ertjies), rys en sambal bedien.
Served with Matar Dal (curry of yellow split peas), rice, and sambal.

Die gelukkige kamermaat
The happy roommate
The captions state "very tasty" in German & Afrikaans.

Last night was "German Soap Opera Night," which I enjoyed with my roommate. Will is learning German and on these nights he and I watch "Alles was zählt," a soap about athletes at an elite sporting facility. I don't understand German (maybe one of these days), but luckily the Youtube clips have subtitles :).

Will and I rarely eat together, but I had a lot of free time after work. I decided to make Indian food, the kind I do best (thanks to my Gujarati friend, Nikita).

4de van Julie en potjiekos

2010-07-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

Berlyn is lekker

2010-07-01T16:19:00.000-07:00

Berlin is Great

Hier is 'n uittreksel van ‘n blog boodskap deur my vriend Alexander wat ook Afrikaans leer. Dit is die grootste vertaling wat ek probeer het. Ek het nog ‘n woordeboek nodig gehad vir woorde soos teleurstel, vloek en orals, maar ek is bly dat ek die meeste van die woorde en sinne sonder hulp verstaan het. Ag, en ek hou van die Tolkien verwysing :).

Here is an excerpt from a blog post by my friend Alexander who is also learning Afrikaans. It’s the biggest translation that I’ve tried. I still needed a dictionary for words like disappoint, curse, and everywhere, but I’m happy that I understood most of the words and sentences without help. Oh, and I like the Tolkien reference :).

Klik hier vir die volteks in Afrikaans op Alexander se blog.
Click here for the full text in Afrikaans on Alexander’s blog.
　　
Ons is nou terug van Berlyn af en ek wil sê dat Berlyn so ‘n mooi en interessante stad is. Ons het baie lekker gekuier want Berlyn is ‘n stad vol geskeidenis en kultuur. Dis nie een van die meeste populêr toeriste stede in Europa nie maar ek hou baie daarvan. Dis goedkoop, vriendelik en dit herinneer my aan my jeug buite Köln.

We're now back from Berlin and I'd like to say that Berlin is such a beautiful and interesting city. We had a great visit, for Berlin is a city full of history and culture. It isn't one of the most popular tourist cities in Europe, but I like it there. It's affordable, friendly, and reminds me of my youth outside of Cologne.

I think many people forget that if you're going overseas for a few days, then you're usually a tourist. It's easy to believe that you're not and to say, "I don't like touristy things, I'm going wherever the local people go, to the non-tourist bars, shops, restaurants, etc." and to believe that you're other than your usual tourist. Yes, maybe you do it all, maybe you have friends that live there, but the fact that you're overseas, in a different country means that you're a visitor. If I go away, I enjoy being a tourist. I want to see and discover a city's or country's tourist attractions, I want to be amazed and learn new information, and feel a foreign experience, both in the UK and overseas. And yes, I want to take a lot of photos.

It was my third visit, but I was a true tourist and wanted to see everything, but unfortunately didn't have enough time. Friday, we walked around a little in Friedrichshain and Berlin, then met a German friend for a few drinks. Saturday I made it to the “Third Reich in Berlin” tour, which was really interesting, especially since I studied modern history at university, but I wasn't so impressed with the young English tour guide. Other than the fact that I don't think his information and interpretations were always correct, he also swore a lot, which wasn't necessary. It gives the wrong impression of English people and isn't professional. He was probably trying to be everyone's chum; I don't want a new chum, I want to learn! Then I went to Kreuzberg to watch my wife's rollerderby match. Her team beat the Berliner team and then we partied on a boat on the Spree river.

Sunday I walked around alone and visited the German Democratic Republic (GDR) Museum, but I was a little disappointed with it - not as disappointed as I would have been had I actually grown up in East Germany. It didn’t look fun, and I'm certainly happy that we lived in West Germany. I also saw a few parts of the Berlin Wall, parts that still remained. It's difficult now to believe that the city was split in two halves and that the border went by houses, buildings, and streets. People could look over the Wall to the other side, but couldn't go visit their neighbors. Not far from the old Wall stands the Fernsehturm (television tower) that looks out over the whole city. You saw it everywhere and it saw you everywhere. If you were in West Berlin, it was a symbol of East Germany, a bit like the Eye of Sauron! I also visited the New Synagogue, which is quite beautiful with its Byzantine-style dome.

Sunday, England played against Germany in soccer and there was a really amazing atmosphere with vuvuzelas and a thousand people. I read that there more than 200,000 people in the Tiergarten watching the match on bigscreens, but I also read that more than 500,000 fans were in the city center. Unbelievable! England played horribly and Germany was much better, so no one complained with the outcome.

When we flew back, there was a beautiful view out of the window over the Netherlands, and I could see Lake IJssel, Flevopolder and Northeast Polder (Flevoland), the Afsluits Dam and the Houtrib Dam. They look so beautiful and impressive. I must definitely go visit.

I really enjoyed being able to speak German again, but I forgot a lot and owing to my CIMA studies, I don’t know when I will learn it again. I spoke it a bit and I remembered a good deal, but sometimes I began muttering in Afrikaans, so I must try to find a little time to continue learning.

Like always, let me know if I made hideous mistakes above, and below are a few photos.
-- Alexander

Dieselfde vir my.
The same for me.
--Tommy

Kat jaag hond

2010-06-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hier is 'n wonderlike artikel oor 'n luiperd wat saam met 'n hond naby Pretoria grootgemaak is: Kat jaag hond

Een van die dae wil ek Glen Afric Lodge besoek waar hulle woon. Die natuurreservaat lyk mooi!

Here is a wonderful article about a leopard who was raised together with a dog near Pretoria: Cat Chases Dog

One of these days I want to visit Glen Afric Lodge where they live. The game reserve looks beautiful!

Saterdag Sokker

2010-06-28T12:50:00.001-07:00

VSA 1:2 Ghana

Ek het die wedstryd tussen die VSA en Ghana gemis, want ek het te laat wakker geword, maar het ek later gelees oor dit aanlyn. Dankie FIFA.com! Natuurlik wou ek die VSA wen en hulle het hul beste probeer, maar Ghana het in ekstra tyd geseëvier. Dit was nog 'n goeie wedstryd. Nederland het my ondersteuning noudat Suid-Afrika en die VSA uit is. Sterkte Oranje!

In ander nuus, daar was vanoggend 'n klein 3.5 aardbewing in San Francisco. Die meeste oggende druk ek my snooze knoppie op my selfoon baie, maar ek was vandag wawyd wakker!

Early Morning Quake

USA 1:2 Ghana

I missed the match between the US and Ghana because I woke up too late, but I read about it later online. Thanks FIFA.com! Naturally I wanted the US to win and they tried their best, but Ghana triumphed in overtime. It was still a good match. The Netherlands has my support now that South Africa and the US are out. Good luck Orange!

In other news, there was a small 3.5 earthquake this morning in San Francisco. Most mornings, I press the snooze button on my cellphone a lot, but I was wide awake today!

Japan, nie so gewild in Asië nie

2010-06-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

Ek het 'n interessante artikel gelees oor Japan, die Wêreldbeker en Asiatese aanhangers van sokker. Dis nie 'n verrassing nie, want my moeder is Koreaans. Sy is nie langer bevooroordeeld teenoor Japanese mense nie, maar dit het 'n lang tyd geneem.

Denmark vs. Japan: Why won't Asians cheer for Japan?

I read an interesting article about Japan, the World Cup, and Asian fans of soccer. It's no surprise, since my mother is Korean. She's no longer prejudiced against Japanese people, but it took a long time.

Verrassing by Thai Chef

2010-06-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

Surprise at Thai Chef

Ek het gister middagete by Thai Chef geëet en het die aksent van een van die manne langs my erken.

Ek: "Excuse me. I hope I'm not being rude, but I'm trying to place your accent."

Hy het na my gedraai en geglimlag.

Ek: "Are you from South Africa?"

Die mens: "Yes, I am!"

Ek: "Praat u Afrikaans?"

Die mens het gelag en geantwoord, "ja, ek praat!" Ons het toe 'n bietjie gesels oor die koue weer in San Francisco en Kaapstad. Dit was 'n aangename verrassing.

foto van yelp.com

I was eating lunch at Thai Chef yesterday and recognized the accent of one of the men next to me.

Me: "Excuse me. I hope I'm not being rude, but I'm trying to place your accent."

He turned to me and smiled.

Me: "Are you from South Africa?"

The man: "Yes, I am!"

Me: "Do you speak Afrikaans?"

He laughed and answered, "yes, I do!" We then chatted a bit about the cold weather in San Francisco and Cape Town. It was a pleasant surprise.

Pap Wiel

2010-06-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

My fiets se pap wiel is eindelik herstel. Nou kan ek weer werk toe fietsry. Baie dankie aan die Nomad Cyclery werknemer wat dit in vyf minute gedoen het!

My bicycle's flat tire was finally fixed. Now I can bike to work again. A big thanks to the Nomad Cyclery employee who did it in five minutes!

New Eritrea

2010-06-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Ek eet selde op werkdae in restaurante, maar op die ingewing van die oomblik het ek gisteraand 'n Eritrese restaurant toe gegaan. Eritrese kos is baie soos Ethiopies en daar is baie restaurante van albei soorte in San Francisco (en nog meer in Oakland en Berkeley). My gunsteling een is New Eritrea in die Inner Sunset.

Ek het groente sambusas (soos plat samosas), lensie sambusas, kantisha (baie pikante sampioene en uie), shiro (bietjie pikante ertjiebredie) en tej (Eritrese heuningwyn) bestel. Ek was baie honger (verrassing!), so ek het genoeg kos vir twee mense gehad. Alles was baie smaaklik. Dis 'n bietjie soos Indiese kerrie. Dis waarskynlik hoekom ek lief is vir Eritrese kookkuns!

Eritrese kos word saam met injera bedien, 'n sagte suurbrood wat soos 'n crêpe is. Tradisionele injera word van teff gemaak, maar baie Eritrese restaurante in die Verenigde State maak dit van bokwiet. Die brood word in plaas van messegoed gebruik. Dis pret!

(foto van wikipedia)

I seldom eat at restaurants on workdays, but on a whim, I went to an Eritrean restaurant last night. Eritrean food is a lot like Ethiopian and there are many restaurants of both kinds in San Francisco (and even more in Oakland and Berkeley). My favorite one is New Eritrea in the Inner Sunset.

I ordered vegetable sambusas (like flat samosas), lentil sambusas, kantisha (very spicy mushrooms and onions), shiro (mildly spicy split-pea stew), and tej (Eritrean honey wine). I was super hungry (surprise!), so I had enough food for two people. It's a bit like Indian curry. That's probably why I love Eritrean cuisine!

Eritrean food is served with injera, a soft sourbread that's like a crepe. Traditional injera is made from teff, but a lot of Eritrean restaurants in the US make from buckwheat. The bread is used instead of cutlery. It's fun!

Courtney's

2010-06-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Courtney's is 'n plaaslike groentewinkel in die Castro buurt van San Francisco. Dit is regtig klein, maar het 'n baie goeie verskeidenheid van produkte. Ek koop soms vars lemoensap en/of gemmerwortelsap, maar 'n vriend het op Maandag die koue toebroodjies aanbeveel.

Gister het ek 'n gardenburger toebroodjie vir middagete geëet. Dit was baie lekker! Dit het volkoringbrood, snybeet, arugula*, rooiuie, kersietamaties, avokado en Dijon-mostert bevat. Al die bestandele was baie vars en heerlik. Dit was een van die beste toebroodjies wat ek geëet het. Vars is soveel beter!

* Hoe sê jy arugula in Afrikaans?

Courtney's is a local grocery in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco. It's really small, but has a great variety of products. I sometimes buy fresh orange juice and/or ginger carrot juice, but on Monday a friend recommended the cold sandwiches.

Yesterday, I ate a gardenburger sandwich for lunch. It was great! It had whole wheat bread, Swiss chard, arugula*, red onions, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and Dijon mustard. All the ingredients were very fresh and delicious. It was one of the best sandwiches that I've eaten. Fresh is so much better!

* How do you say arugula in Afrikaans?

Die Wêreldbeker

2010-06-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

Vandag is die begin van die 2010 FIFA Wêreldbeker in Suid-Afrika! Ek hoop alles gaan goed vir my vriende in die land. Ek is hartseer dat Suid-Afrika nie hulle eerste wedstryd gewen het nie, maar 'n gelykopspel is beter as 'n verlies. Sterkte Bafana Bafana!

Today is the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa! I hope everything goes well for my friends in the country. I'm sad that South Africa didn't win their first match, but a draw is better than a loss. Good luck to Bafana Bafana!

Slaap en Ontbyt

2010-05-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

Ons almal weet dat slaap en ontbyt baie belangrik is, maar ek kry nooit genoeg slaap nie en ek eet baie selde ontbyt. Gewoonlik slaap ek net drie of vier ure. Baie sleg, ek weet! Wanneer ek wakker word, het ek baie min tyd om die trein te vang en geen tyd vir ontbyt nie. Ek het dus besluit om ontbyt te eet by die werk.

Ek is lief vir macaroni en kaas en "Annie's Macaroni and Cheese" is een van my gunstelinge. Dit is bietjie moeilik by die werk om te maak want daar is net 'n mikrogolf, maar ek het deur trial en error 'n metode ontdek.

Voeg pasta en een en 'n kwart koppies water in 'n bak. Bedek met 'n papierhanddoek en mikrogolf vir 3 minute op hoog. Roer en mikrogolf nog drie minute. Voeg die kaaspoeier by, roer goed en bedien :).

Gisteraand het ek elf en 'n half ure geslaap. Ek het vroeg by die werk gegaan en het ontbyt geëet. Vandag voel ek soveel beter!

We all know that sleep and breakfast are very important, but I never get enough sleep and I rarely eat breakfast. Usually, I sleep only three or four hours. Very bad, I know! When I wake up, I have very little time to catch the train and no time for breakfast. I've thus decided to eat breakfast at work.

I love macaroni and cheese. "Annie's Macaroni and Cheese" is one of my favorites. It's somewhat difficult to cook at work because there's only a microwave, but I discovered a way by trial and error:

Add pasta and 1 and a quarter cup of water in a bowl. Cover with a paper towel and microwave for 3 minutes on high. Stir and microwave for another three minutes. Add the cheese powder, stir well and serve:).

Last night, I slept eleven and a half hours. I went to work early and ate breakfast. Today I feel so much better!

Haatspraak

2010-04-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hate Speech

Ek het vanaand oor Eugene Terre'Blanche se moord op Radio Sonder Grense gehoor. Dit maak my hartseer ten spyte van sy politieke geloof, want moord is moord. Liedjie lirieke soos "Kill the Boer" is haatspraak en het direkte gevolge.

Tonight, I heard about Eugene Terre'Blanche's murder on Radio Without Borders. It saddens me, in spite of his political beliefs, for murder is murder. Song lyrics like "Kill the Boer" are hate speech and have direct consequences.

Buffet Haiku

2010-04-01T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ek het vandag 'n heerlike middagete by Bombay Indian in die Castro gehad. Ek het eierkerrie, groentekerrie, pappadom, pakoras, rys en verskeie blatjangs geëet. Dit was 'n buffet... goed vir die beursie, maar nie so goed vir die liggam nie :(. Soos hulle in die VSA sê: "I'm food pregnant!"

Hier is 'n haiku gedig oor dit:

'n Lekker buffet,
magie vol en ogies toe.
Ag, ek eet te veel!

Vandag se kanji: 俳句、はいく、haiku

I had a delicious lunch at Bombay Indian in the Castro today. I ate egg curry, vegetable curry, pappadom, pakoras, rice, and various chutneys. It was a buffet... good for the wallet, but not so good for the body. Like they say in the USA, "I'm food pregnant!"

Here's a haiku about it:

A tasty buffet,
belly full and eyes shut tight.
Oh, I eat too much!

Roer

2010-03-28T19:04:00.001-07:00

"Roer" is 'n Afrikaanse kookprogram wat ek geniet. Hier is 'n episode met Charlene Truter wat 'n vegetariese kerrie maak.

"Stir" is an Afrikaans cooking show that I enjoy. Here's an episode with Charlene Truter who's making a vegetarian curry.

Kamermaat se verkoue

2010-03-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Roommate's Cold

My kamermaat is baie siek. Hy het gister gedink dat dit beter gaan, maar sy verkoue is vandag nog erger. Ek voel jammer vir hom, maar ek is ook bekommerd. Ek moet oefen vir Bay to Breakers wat in Mei plaasvind. Ek wil nie siek word nie!

My roommate is very sick. He thought that it was getting better yesterday, but his cold is even worse today. I feel sorry for him, but I'm also worried. I need to train for Bay to Breakers, which takes place in May. I don't want to get sick!

Drome in Afrikaans

2010-03-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Dreams in Afrikaans

Vanoggend het ek 'n ander droom met 'n bietjie Afrikaans gehad. Ek was in 'n nuwe woonstel met 'n Afrikaner kamermaat.

Ek: Aangename kennis.
Kamermaat: Aangename kennis.
Ek: Hoe gaan dit?
Kamermaat: Dit gaan goed, dankie. En self?
Ek: Goed, dankie.

Nie baie nie, maar dit is beter as my eerste droom met Afrikaans. In daardie droom was ek in Suid-Afrika met 'n Nederlandse vrou wat ook 'n toeris was.

Ek: Ek praat 'n bietjie Afrikaans. Praat u Afrikaans?
Ander toeris: Ja, ek praat Afrikaans... [Vinnige Afrikaans]
Ek: Ek verstaan nie.
Ander toeris: [Vinnige Afrikaans]
Ek: Ek verstaan nie!

This morning I had a dream with a bit of Afrikaans. I was in a new apartment with an Afrikaner roommate.

Me: Pleased to meet you.
Roommate: Pleased to meet you.
Me: How are you?
Roommate: I'm well, thanks. And you?
Me: Good, thanks.

Not much, but it's better than my first dream with Afrikaans. In that dream, I was in South Africa with a Dutch woman who was also a tourist.

Me: I speak a little Afrikaans. Do you speak Afrikaans?
Other Tourist: Yes, I speak Afrikaans... [Rapid Afrikaans]
Me: I don't understand.
Other Tourist: [Rapid Afrikaans]
Me: I don't understand!

Oggend Hardloop

2010-03-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

Ek is weer moeg by die werk. Ek hardloop dikwels saans, maar vandag het ek smôrens gehardloop. Dit was baie moeilik. Ek wou nie uit die bed klim nie, maar ek het myself gedwing om dit te doen. My bene is so seer!

I'm tired again at work. I usually run at night, but today I ran in the morning. It was quite difficult. I didn't want to get out of bed, but I forced myself to. My legs are so sore!

Sonnige Dag

2010-03-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

Ek is lief vir vanoggend se weer! San Francisco het gewoonlik baie mis, maar die afgelope paar weke het ons baie reën hier gehad. Op Maandag was daar 'n groot reënbui met hael wat baie ongewoon is. Eindelik het ons 'n sonnige dag! Ek is by die werk en het nie my kamera nie, maar hier is 'n ou foto van sonnige San Francisco van 'n bietjie fietsreis rondom die stad.

I love this morning's weather! San Francisco usually has a lot of fog, but for the past few weeks we've had a lot of rain here. On Monday, there was a big rainshower with hail, which is very rare. Finally we have a sunny day! I'm at work and don't have my camera, but here's an old photo of sunny San Francisco from a little bike tour around the city.

Potjie, Poykey, Potchee?

2010-03-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

Ek het gister 'n potjie gekoop! Potjiekos is 'n baie gewilde tradisionele kos in Suid-Afrika wat ek regtig wil maak. Die meeste Afrikaans sprekende mense spreek potjie uit as "poy-key," maar ek het iets nuut geleer. Sommige Suid-Afrikaners, insluitend die Kaap-Maleiers, spreek dit uit as "potchee." Dankie aan Åsa van www.taste-africa.com en Gabrielle van die Leer Afrikaans Yahoo Groep vir hulle verduidelikings. Ek sien uit na my eie potjiekos!

I bought a South African cast-iron pot yesterday! Slow-cooked stew is a very popular, traditional food in South Africa that I really want to make. Most Afrikaans-speakers pronounce potjie as "poykey," but some South Africans, including the Cape Malays, pronounce it as "potchee." Thanks to Åsa from www.taste-africa.com and Gabrielle from theLearn Afrikaans Yahoo Group for their explanations.

Chris Rock in SA

2010-02-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

The following is reprinted with permission from "Worsbeursie" of Snaaksgenoeg (Funny Enough). I've been reading various South African blogs and a review from this one caught my eye. Here's an excerpt of the original text, followed by my attempt at translation:

Chris Rock maak rassistiese grappe en ek lag my gat af

Ek en Trilwillem het Sondag na Chris Rock se laaste show op die Suid-Afrikaanse toer gaan kyk.

Ek het my gat af gelag.

Dit was ongelooflik om te sien dat nie een demografiese groep sterk verteenwoordig was nie. Daar was van ge-dreadlock-de wit studente tot swart huisvroue. Daar was van kleurling daggarokers (langs my) tot ‘n ma en haar seun (ander kant langs Trilwillem).

Ek dink die gebrek aan een groep van mense is te wyte aan Chris Rock se styl van komedie en persoonlikheid...

For the rest of the original text in Afrikaans, please visit Snaaksgenoeg.

***

Chris Rock makes racist jokes and I laugh my ass off

On Sunday, Trillwillem and I went to watch Chris Rock's last show on the South African tour.

I laughed my ass off.

It was unbelievable to see that no single demographic group was overly represented. There were dreadlocked white students to black housewives. There were coloured* weed-smokers (next to me) to a mother and her son (an the other side next to Trilwillem).

I think the lack of a single group of people is because of Chris Rock's style of comedy and personality. It's wonderful to see a black man who is proud of being black and is embarassed and irritated by the crap that other black people can engage in (just like I'm embarassed and irritated by the far right, brandy-drinking, bearded idiots who bring the old South African flag to a Bok van Blerk concert). He jokes about white dudes, but I never got into a bad mood. He has a big problem with the unenlightened, overly-politically correct crap that now, more than ever, goes around. He says well what we all know but aren't allowed to say.

In short. I was very impressed. With the comedy and with Chris himself.

If you can, buy a dvd and don't just watch the goods on Youtube. It's worth it.

One warning, don't watch Chris Rock together with your mother, you'll be frakking, deathly embarassed. Like the poor chap next to me who found out the hard way.

* "Coloured" in South Africa (as well as Namibia and other neighboring nations) refers to multiracial people. For more info, click here.

Saturdag se hardloop

2010-02-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

Ek het op Saturdag baie laat opgestaan. Ek het 'n moeilike week gehad en het die slaap nodig. Ek het gehunker na Sjinese kos en het nie hardloop gewil nie. Ek het seer knieë en moet hardloop op sand of gras en nie padteer of konkreet nie. Ek ry gewoonlik met my fiets die strand toe en hardloop in die paadjie naby die see, maar my fiets het nog 'n papwiel :(. Ek het myself gedwing om in die grasperk te hardloop. Ek is so bly dat ek het dit gedoen. Daarna het ek baie beter gevoel. Ek het nog baie Sjinese kos bestel, maar ek het dit verdien :)!

Saturday's Run: I got up really late on Saturday. I had a rough week and needed the sleep. I craved Chinese food and didn't want to run. I have bad knees and must run on sand or grass, not asphalt or concrete. I usually ride my bike to the beach and run on the trail near the sea, but my bike still had a flat tire. I forced myself to run in the park. I'm so happy that I did it. Afterwards, I felt much better. I still ordered Chinese food, but I earned it!

Hardloopoefening

2010-02-18T02:19:00.000-08:00

Onlangs het ek weer hardloop begin. Ek wil in Mei aan "Bay to Breakers" deelneem, die gewildste wedloop in San Francisco. Die eerste keer naby die strand het ek net twee myle gehardloop. Die wedloop is 7 myle lank, maar almal moet iewers begin!

Recently I began running again. In May, I want to participate in "Bay to Breakers," the most popular race in San Francisco. The first time near the beach I only ran 2 miles. The race is 7 miles, but everyone has to start somewhere!

Durban Kerrie

2010-02-16T13:07:00.000-08:00

Ek het net gehoor dat een van die warmste Indiese kerries in Durban is genaamd "Mother-in-law's Fury." Hah! Een van die dae sal ek dit maak!

I just heard that one of the hottest Indian curries in Durban, South Africa is named "Mother-in-law's Fury." Hah! One of these days, I'm going to make it!

Uganda

2010-02-14T09:58:00.000-08:00

Dankie aan Sylvia Tamale vir haar baie goeie reaksie aan Uganda's Anti-Homoseksualiteit Wetsontwerp:

Human Rights Impact Assessment of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Thanks to Sylvia Tamale for her great response to Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

Plaasmoorde

2010-02-13T03:37:00.001-08:00

Things like the farm murders in South Africa really test my faith in humanity.

NaNoWriMo

2010-01-31T04:13:00.000-08:00

Om werk toe te ry

2009-12-02T10:59:00.001-08:00

Ek het vandag my fiets amper vier myl werk toe gery. Die heuwels is moeilik, maar ek het dit in vyf-en-twintig minute gedoen! Ek's 'n bietjie moeg, maar voel goed. Vir my Afrikaanse vriende, hoe sê jy "exercise" in die taal? Is dit "oefening"?

Diwali

2009-10-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

Rugby

2009-10-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

Byki

2009-10-03T18:01:00.000-07:00

Twee Muise

2009-09-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

Boomplantdag

2009-08-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

Fietse

2009-08-22T18:06:00.000-07:00

Feesvierings

2009-08-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Bunny Chow

2009-08-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

Vertaal in Afrikaans

2009-08-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

On the Learn-Afrikaans yahoogroup, translation drills are posted on a regular basis. Here's my most recent attempt at one from Johan van Breda of Capetown:

Language is a skin: I rub my language against the other. It is as if I had words instead of fingers, or fingers at the tip of my words. My language trembles with desire. – Roland Barthes, literary critic and philosopher (1915 – 1980).

Taal is 'n vel: ek vryf my taal teen die ander. Dit is asof ek het woorde instede van vingers of vingers by die punt van my woorde. My taal bewe met sug. -- Roland Barthes, letterkundig kritikus en filosoof (1915-1980).

***

I just got corrections back from Johan:

Taal is 'n vel: ek vryf my taal teen ander. Dit is asof ek woorde in plaas van vingers het, of vingers aan die punte van my woorde. My taal bewe van begeerlikheid. – Roland Barthes, literêre kritikus en filosoof (1915 – 1980).

The Cultures and Religions of South Africa

2009-08-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

Comic Con 2009

2009-08-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

Vrugte en Groente

2009-07-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

(Fruits and Vegetables)

Vandag het ek en 'n vriend Clementstraat toe gekuier. Dis San Francisco se tweede Sjinastad. Daar is baie Sjinese restaurante, maar ons het vir middagete Burma Superstar toe gegaan. Die kos was heerlik!

Ek het van Clementstraat se winkels se goedkoop vrugte en groente vir my Youtube video gekoop:

Today, a friend and I visited Clement Street. It's San Francisco's second Chinatown. There are many Chinese restaurants, but we went to Burma Superstar for lunch. The food was delicious!

I bought cheap fruits and vegetables from Clement Street's shops for my Youtube video.

Sjinese Kos

2009-07-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

Vandag voel ek bietjie siek. Gisteraand het ek baie speseryagtig en branderig Sjinese kos geëet. Ek het vegetariese Hunan ham en Sjinese brokkoli bestel. Dit was heerlik (ek baie hou van rooi peper), maar ek het te veel geëet!

Vandag se kanji: 中華の食べ物 Sjinese kos
中華の, ちゅうか, Middel Prag* se
食べ物, たべもの, eet voorwerp

私は中華の食べ物を食べました。
Ek het Sjinese kos geëet.

* Sjina se oude naam was Middel Koninkryk.

Today I feel a little sick. Last night, I ate Chinese food that was really spicy and hot. I ordered vegetarian Hunan ham and Chinese broccoli. It was delicious (I really like red pepper), but I ate too much!

Today's kanji: 中華の食べ物 Chinese food
中華の, ちゅうか, Middle Splendor's *
食べ物, たべもの, eating thing

私は中華の食べ物を食べました。
I ate Chinese food.

* China's ancient name was Middle Kingdom.

KO2: One Little Word

2009-07-14T04:31:00.000-07:00

Not only do fans create characters for the Pride High universe, they create comics, too! Check out Anne Cain's cover draft for Kid Olympus #2: One Little Word, written by Feargal Keenan.

Vandag se kanji: 今日 vandag
きょう, 今 nou + 日 dag

今日はアンが「キッドオリンパス二」のカバを送りました！
Vandag het Anne "Kid Olympus 2" se dek gestuur!
Anne sent the cover for "Kid Olympus 2" today!

Today's kanji: 今日 today
きょう, 今 now + 日 day

Nommers en Tyd

2009-07-13T01:24:00.000-07:00

(Numbers and Time)

Torchwood is Terug!

2009-07-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

Torchwood, een van my gunsteling TV programme is terug!

Torchwood, one of my favorite TV shows is back!

Vandag se kanji: 英国: Verenigde Koninkryk
えいこく: Brits land
トーチウッドが英国でポピュラーです。
Torchwood is populêr in die Verenigde Koninkryk.
Torchwood is popular in the United Kingdom.

Studeer 勉強

2009-07-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

Vandag se kanji: 勉強 studeer
勉, べん, beur
強, きょう, sterk
勉強, べんきょう, beur + sterk = studeer

Today's kanji: 勉強 study
勉, べん, exertion
強, きょう, strong
勉強, べんきょう, exertion + strong = study

アフリカンス語と日本語を勉強します。
Ek studeer Afrikaans en Japans.
I am studying Afrikaans and Japanese.

Fiets 自転車 Bicycle

2009-07-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Vandag se kanji: 自転車 fiets
自: じ, ji, self
転: てん, ten, omwentel
車: しゃ, sha, voertuig
自転車、じてんしゃ、jitensha, self-omwentel voertuig = fiets

Today's kanji: 自転車 bicycle
自: じ, ji, self
転: てん, ten, revolving
車: しゃ, sha, vehicle
自転車、じてんしゃ、jitensha, self-revolving vehicle = bicycle

今日は自転車でオフィスへ行きました。
Vandag het ek per fiets kantoor toe gegaan.
Today, I went to the office by bike.

Suid-Afrika 南阿

2009-07-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

Vandag se kanji: 南阿 Suid-Afrika

南阿弗利加、みなみアフリカ、Minami Afurika, Suid-Afrika

Japans kanji en kana is dikwels verkort. Byvoorbeeld, waadopurosessa (woord prosesseerder) is dikwels bekend as waapuro.

Suid-Afrika is ook verkort:
南阿, なんア, Nan'A, Suid-Afrika

Today's kanji: 南阿 South Africa

南阿弗利加、みなみアフリカ、Minami Afurika, South Africa

Japanese kanji and kana is often abbreviated. For instance, waadopurosessa (word processor) is commonly known as waapuro.

South Africa is also abbreviated:
南阿, なんア, Nan'A, South Africa