Hunger Games vs. Battle Royale

Battle Royale

Battle Royale takes place in an alternate time line where Japan is part of a state known as the Republic of Greater East Asia.  Under the guise of a school trip 42 students are taken to an isolated island to take part in the Program. The Program being the BR ACT created to help maintain order.   

I first saw Battle Royale when it was translated and available on DVD.  At the time I had never heard of the Hunger Games.  I don't think it had even been published yet.  I have yet to read the Battle Royale book but having seen the movie, I liked it.  What I liked was not just the content but how it was dealt with and some of the issues it brought up.

 Hunger Games

The Hunger Games movie was better than its book in the aspects that come to play when movies are made.  One being that you are no longer in Katniss's head although the story is still covered and colored by how she saw the world not an impartial narrator. Although a bit more so than in the book.  Second, was having some things be trimmed down, but that also goes to magnify some of vague ideas about how Panem worked. Also having good actors in some roles went in bettering the movie.

Having seen Battle Royale first then reading the Hunger Games, I couldn't help but see a lot of similarities, but this did not cause me to judge one thing to the other because they came from separate worlds.  From what I have heard Suzanne Collins claims that she was inspired by reality T.V and the coverage of war.  However, I have a hard time believing this because there is very little evidence to support this in the actual story itself.  Sure she has the Hunger Games televised and there is the talk of audiences , but they are all vague and never make complete sense.  If it was more of a Survivor type game where you got voted out based on your likebility which Katniss talks a lot about playing to the camera then I could understand and see that the Hunger Games was inspired by most reality T.V. But the Hunger Games children are going to kill each other so what person would bet on someone they like over someone that has more chances of winning? Also she never really deals with the effects of trauma and other issues that invaders and those being invaded might feel if indeed those two very broad ideas inspired these stories. 

I have no problem with someone getting inspiration from another writer.  I mean the very fact that Suzanne Collins and Koushun Takami are from different countries, cultures, upbringing and gender means that even with the same idea they would produce something different. And that would have been fascinating to see.  

What I really liked about Battle Royale over the Hunger Games book and movie among others was the treatment of the characters.  In Hunger Games, Katniss is just so special.  For over 70 years that these games have been taking place no one has ever volunteered.  So none of the kids that have died over the pass 70 years had any family, friends or anyone that cared about them and was willing to take their place even when they were as young as 12 years old.   Also the created star-cross lovers between Katniss and Peeta.  Real or not. For the camera or not. Has none of these children ever clung to each when they got chosen or two people that already cared about each other ever been chosen?  In the book and movie it is as if that has never ever happened.  Also how the other kids  (Careers? why name them that) are made out to be villains and evil when the Capital and all those that watch including the districts and do nothing are responsible.  All the kids during this Hunger Games were forced to enter them, of everyone Katniss chose to be there. I understand that it was to save her sister and that is one of the few things I liked but that was a choice made. She could have done nothing like apparently everyone has been doing for over 70 years. All the kids in the Hunger Games don't want to die, they had friends and family too, not just Katniss, Peeta and Rue.  You also only ever get Katniss's story and her view on things. Plus there is only one reaction that is portrayed and not judged by Katniss in the Hunger Games that is her own.

In Battle Royale they portrayed how this thing was horrible. Not just Hunger Games where it's horrible for Katniss and small little Rue. But it's horrible for everyone, because they are all kids.  Doesn't matter if some were richer or more popular then others.  They are being forced to kill or be killed and that is going to scar and harm everyone. There was no big evil "Careers" tribe or a Cato that had to be allowed to agonize in pain for the whole night being eaten by wolves instead of having Katniss make a hard decision and put him out of his misery.  There were some antagonists which makes sense and works.  In Battle Royale, I also liked the reactions that were shown in the classroom even before we get outside.   People are scared, nervous, in denial, enrage and on.  They go through a range of emotions.  Also unlike the Hunger Games, Battle Royale shows the range of reactions that most people would have.  Some cling tight to each other, others become paranoid, some don't want to believe and try to test the collars, other decide they don't want to kill, other just give up, other kill themselves, others team on, some go on alone and there are more examples.   Not the Katniss and Peeta special love that no one has ever seen in 70 years.  Because whether the event was being televised or not, there would be people who would cling to each other, some would fight, other would cry and some would most certainly try to run. 

Hunger Games Book Review

Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is story told through the eyes of 16 years old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the nation of Panem in Northern America. The Hunger Games are an annual event, where one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18 are chosen through a lottery system from the 12 districts surrounding the capital compete to the death. The event is televised.   

When I read the Hunger Games I did not like the story or Katniss as much as I thought I would or wanted to based on the praise that many people were giving it.  After reading the story I realized why many would want to see Katniss was such a strong heroine.  Because compared to a lot of the prevail ant YA heroine, Katniss is perceived to actually be taking action and making choices. 

From the beginning there were things that I did not like about the story especially when many seem to praise for having supposed admirable heroine.  The first being the treatment of women.  The way Katniss introduces us to her mother is through her looks and the fact that she is no longer pretty. Also the mother never gets a name throughout the inter story.  Even the other women that ate mentions are shown as being completely useless.  For one Katniss's mother's family owned an apothecary.  Why would she not continue working there? Also why would Katniss's father not work there when it meant making a better living then going to the mines and dying. Even Gale's mother, who seems quite capable  but she had to give me to her son to suddenly be the provider.  While Peeta's mother is shown to be abusive for no reason.  

The world building of Panem is quite shoddy. We don't really know anything really works.  Even with the Hunger Games that play such a big part of the reason the story exists.  One there was apocalyptic event that destroyed things. What was it?  The capital is oppressive.  Why? and How? These were just said and assume never shown or spelled out. Was this destruction only in North America? What about the neighboring places and the rest of the world? The capital does not make a single thing, it gets it all from the district and atop that it demands that each district sentence 2 children each year to the death.  who would accept that? What is stopping them from boycotting? Because if no one or even just part of the miners in district 12 did not go work, the capital will not have the productions they need.  How would the Capital force them to work? They are already starving and dying what else could the Capital threaten them with.  Now if they were living a life of luxury then they would have something to fear.    

This also ties into the attitude towards survival in this book.  Why is there a fence around the district when there is suppose to be no where for people to go? Why make hunting illegal when the animals are not in danger of being hunted out.  According to the book itself, everyone wants meat even the guards. So why are only Gale and Katniss hunting? So for all these years, no one else has every gone into the forest not only to hunt but to forage?  A lot of people are starving in district 12. A child who has grown up starving would ever see game and think can we nurse it health and not I won't starve into. which is the example the book gives us through Primrose.  Also why do they have a cat they need to fed when they can hardly feed themselves.  Katniss seems to be able to survive well in the forest so why is she and her family not living off the woods instead struggling in the town.  Katniss is suppose to be our badass survivalist heroine, she has grown up starving her whole life and most certainly suffered malnutrition but all her actions and way of thinking in this book goes against all of it. Why would she go to the Seam to trade meat that has fat and protein that she needs to survive for something like baked bread that has mostly air in it. Where from there a type of baked good that is made from beans and dried  meat or fruits. it dense and full of protein and nutrients.  But that is not what Katniss buys and we are never told that it is never things else other regular bread.  Why not keep the meat to feed yourself or even dry the meat for a later time. If she was exchanging it for legumes or other rich foods she can't get I can understand but she doesn't.  People who go without something for a tim usually horde it when they get it, but on the train to the Capital Katniss actually throws food out the window. Most people who have starved not even near the amount the Katniss is suppose to have would waste food that way. In the game arena there is a scene where Katniss skins a game throws out the innards and puts it on the fire.  To some people there is nothing wrong with it.  They would even praise Katniss for a badass hunter. No hunter, survivalist, or someone who has experience some hunger would do that.  The innards; liver, heart, brain all contain protein, nutrients and fats that is good for you why would someone who has experienced starvation not have come to know and throw them out.  Also I know based on a lot of images grilling over an open may seem like a great way to cook meat.  But that is an idea prevalent for people afraid of the fat. Grilling is a way to cook but all the fat will just melt and fall into the fire. Katniss doesn't need to worried about getting fat, she absolutely need the fats from the meat. Her lack of know of the many uses of plants, roots and herbs has food and medicine is just unbelievable, Suzanne Collins doesn't seem to have done any research at all. 

I was quite upset at Katniss's reaction when she arrives at the Capital.  Especially, when she was in the room with the game makers.  I was speaking to someone about how if I was Katniss I would have shoot at the people and not just the apple. They asked why not kill them instead of just harming them like I described.  The thing is Katniss the defiant heroine doesn't do any of this.  Even the reason that she get angry upset me.  It's not that the Capital is working them to death for their own gain, or that they are pretty much responsible for the death of many and that they are about to have her killed too.  No, Katniss was angry because they were eating and laughing and not paying attention to her. 

Along those lines was the idea of the book constantly trying to sell the idea of an impartial third party narrator but narration is from Katniss's point. Colored by her experiences, ideas and prejudices.  But the author and story never allow this to be seen they never question Katniss's judgements and conclusions.  Katniss herself never evaluate things that shows that she had given things real thought.  Which leads to the psychotic thoughts of outright murdering others and Peeta that Katniss constantly had and then claimed that others were having them too.  How would she know what they are thinking or feeling? We are in her head and she never inquires after anyone else. Example being the treatment of Effie, since she wears a lot of makeup and smiles she is a bitch but Cinna is such a great guy because he wears less makeup and makes Katniss look pretty.  Though they both seem to be just doing their jobs.  

Because of these issues and many others that I did not really get into the Hunger Games or Katniss as much as some people seemed to have.  Katniss's psychology and action added to the vague world Suzanne Collins created though better than most of the YA out, it just did not work completely for me.  The only thing really setting Katniss apart seems to be the idea that she can shoot a bow and seems to be doing things but the those things are made out to be accidental instead of having Katniss work and struggle through and achieve something.  

Return of Pearl Princess (1998)

Return of Pearl Princess

Er Kang, Ziwei, Emperor, Xiao Yan Zi, 5th Prince

The Return of Pearl Princess is a Chinese television series based on a book series by the name from Chiung Yao.  The story is about Yan Ziwei the daughter of Emperor, Qiang Long, through an affair with a commoner.  After her mother's death, Ziwei travels to Beijing to find her father.  While in Beijing in a tough situation, Ziwei meets, befriends and later becomes sworn sisters with an orphan, Xiao Yan Zi.  Xiao Yan Zi promises to help Ziwei meet the Emperor but being injured and found with the items that Ziwei's mother left her.  The Emperor and everyone at the palace come to believe that Xiao Yan Zi is the Emperor's daughter.  Conflicts arises as friends of both Ziwei and Xiao Yan Zi try to return them to their proper places. 

Ziwei, Xiao Yanzi, Jinsuo

Xiao Yanzi was quite funny at times and I liked her caring over Ziwei and the sisterly bond that truly developed between them. I liked the overall lightheartedness and the fun and funny scenes.  I particularly liked the scenes when they were all together interacting.  I also liked how the men, particularly Er Kang, who was always calm, collected and think things through would just loose his mind when they were in trouble.  Especially when Ziwei was in some kind of trouble.

The Return of Pearl Princess has some nice, fun and lighthearted parts, however I had some problem with other parts.  Not being a speaker of Chinese, I watched the Return of Pearl Princess that someone created subtitles for. So there are many things that come into play.  I found the show to be long-winged.  There are things that seemed like they could have been summarized.   I am not sure if this was part of the original book series or the style of the show.  Also quite a lot of scenes just seemed redundant. Like when they would all just meet to talk about their problems over and over. But nothing new, important or improved ever came out as a result.  So, it felt quite useless to have them.   For example the reveal of the main conflict of the real princess seemed liked it just dragged on too long. 

What I thought was really missing was the politics and the struggles for power when a new princess appears and is the favorite of the Emperor.  Whom everyone is vying to again power from.  I thought there would have been more conflicts and not just from the Queen.  I sometimes found that some of the characters were quite self-centered.  Throughout the entire show their is but one real conflict which is posed by the Queen.  The other conflicts were mostly perceived and easily resolved.   Xiao Yanzi and Ziwei are constantly surrounded by people who affirm that whatever they do is good. 

Er Tai seemed at time to be the only voice of reason but he was constantly ignored and not wanting to be left alone or behind, he would join in on the madness.  Which was almost always instigated by Xiao Yanzi.  I found that the acting was not successful all the time because you found out who a character was suppose to be through dialogue and words not through actual acting or action.  Xiao Yanzi never changes through her entire stay in the palace.  Even when she knows that she has to appear to give in, not just for herself but for others.  She doesn't do it she just continues to yell and fight even when it should have brought worse things on her and others.  Ziwei was no better at times. Especially when the Emperor sends them to the prison and that official comes to interrogate them.  We the know the official is corrupt but what does Ziwei do? She tells Xiao Yanzi that it's the official they had had a conflict with before and they proceed to mock him which gets them tortured. Only an idiot would instigate someone who already hates you to hurt you more because you just could't keep quiet.   

Er Kang & Ziwei

I have read that there are two more sequels to the Return Pearl Princess, but that they are not as good as this one.  They are not subbed so I am not sure when I'll get the chance to check them out.  Or should I even bother?

Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei

Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei 

Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei is the story of Li Ge Xiao, who is intelligent with the martial arts skills to match. At one time Li Ge Xiao was a high ranking marshal with authority.  However, he went on the run when an enemy frames him and execute his wife.  To help a old friend now a high ranking marshal to retrieve gold meant for refuge relief.  Li Ge Xiao teams up with thief Yan San Niang, master of disguise He Xiao Mei and muscle Chai Hu and formed the team called "Yi Zhi Mei."  Yi Zhi Mei robs from the rich to give to the poor and bring justice to the helpless fighting against the corrupt.

Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei Cast

Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei has a good mix of action, humor, suspense and romance. I liked the partnership between the heroes and the family that they end up forming.  They had each others back and were loyal.  I also liked the setup of the different stories and how the backstory and flashbacks were woven into it.  Also how all the characters that Yi Zhi Mei meet or interacted with during the journey help them deal with the final conflict at the end.  

Li Ge Xiao (Wallace Huo)

I think that all the actors did a pretty good job.  You got a good sense of each character and some of the changes they went through and the challenges that they faced. I liked the opening theme song by Hu Ge and the song by Lilith.  I played Lilith's song to dead.   The things that I think I liked the most were the strategy and thinking that went into the planning and dealing with the conflicts.  The fight scenes were cool and I also liked the illustrations that helped introduce the characters during the beginning of the show.  

Chai Hu (Shu Xingyu)

Although I liked the show over all there were somethings I did not really like or did not really seem to work well or serve a purpose for me.
However, an aspect that I thought elevated the show was having almost each member of the main cast have their own back story arc.  

Laiying Bao attacked by bandits

I felt some sympathy for Laiying Bao when he first feels defeated about not being able to make more of himself, protecting Ruyi and getting her love.  But knowing someone first or being their childhood friend doesn't me they have to love you back if you fall for them.  Plus to me, Ruyi seemed to desire to live with dignity and not just for herself but for her father, her heritage and her family.  Ruyi seemed to want someone like her father.  Because despite his exile he continued to maintain his innocence and lived with dignity.

Ruyi

When we first meet Laiying and Ruyi traveling to the city, Laiying seemed always on his knees begging.  Even when he did not need to, especially in an environment where those with power liked to bully others just because they could.  Ruyi saw Laiying as a brother and not as a man she could admire.   The scene where they are attacked by the bandits, she tells Laiying to stop begging because one, the bandits were enjoying his debasement and would probably kill them anyway.  So, why give up their self respect and dignity aswell. When Laiying joins the marshals he still continues to blame Li Gexiao and starts bullying others like he felt he was.  When Laiying Bao gets the name Ying Wu Qiu, he doesn't really care able real justice but just getting praise, seems to take pleasure in killing and getting back at Gexiao for being responsible for all his misery.

Marshal Ying Wu Qiu

    Although, Sanniang is a pretty cool female character and Lui Shi Shi did a good job at the acting. I really could not get into Sanniang's story or what her back story was suppose to reveal about her character.  We learn  that a young Sanniang and her family were fleeing some disaster but not being a biological child, the father decides to abandon Sanniang for his new born son.  At this point there is already so many interesting stories and lead ways as to why Sanniang would be a mater thief but the story goes on.  We learn that Sanniang is almost deadly afraid of bugs but the only support as to why this is through the back story is that she swallowed a bug when she was alone in the woods. This seemed contrived and weak compared to the possibilities that were available from the situation. We know that people were starving and that's one of the reasons Sanniang's family left their home then her. She could have seen livestock and food devastated by bugs, seen worms turn food everyone needed into poison or a dead body covered in flies and worms. These possibilities would have carried more weight for her fear considering the situation was in.  I am not saying that a seemingly small incident cannot have a bid impact on a fear or phobia.  But in this situation it just seemed like it might  as well been having her seem girly and be afraid of creepy crawls than what was presented.  Or maybe they just didn't want things to get too serious and needed something.

Yan Sanniang 

At this point, we would have a plausible explanation as to why she became a thief. She's a child, alone and starving.  So she started stealing in order to survive, that makes sense. She falls in with a group, where she learns martial arts and has an obsession with pearls because they represent wealth, beauty and security. All the things she desires.  But the story continues and she is saved by the Abbot and taken to the temple.  From that young age to adulthood, Sanniang as other people around her, she has food, shelter, clothing and is taught martial arts and how to be literate.  So, considering where she could have been she had a good life.

Abbot and Sanniang's mother

One thing, I am curious about in Ancient Chinese Series is why matching amulets always seems to mean your family (parent/child) and at times lovers.  The amulets are usually valuable but do people not lose, exchange, have them stolen, pawn or have them copied?

So Sanniang has a matching amulet to that of the Abbot's and we are told that her birthmother left it with her.  Sanniang confronts the Abbot, but the Abbot denies it.  Here, I saw some interesting possibility.  The Abbot in front of the altar and other members swears that she is not her mother.  I really hoped that this was true, because the Abbot was pretty swearing in front of God and others that look up to and respect her that she is not Sannaing's mother.  So unless the Abbot is a really deceitful person, why would she tell such a lie just to distance herself from Sanniang?  I saw two quick possibilities here. One, the Abbot was hurt by a man and the temple's abbot saved and took her in.  They become close but the abbot in getting involved with the (current) Abbot becomes pregnant and dies leaving her amulets for the Abbot and baby Sanniang. Two, the Abbot and Sanniang's mother were sisters (blood or sworn) but she dies leaving the Abbot to take care of her baby.  But because the Abbot blamed Sanniag's father, she gave Sanniang away since the temple could not take care of a baby.  So seeing the amulet with Sanniang brought back a lot of things that the Abbot thought she had resolved and forgotten.  

Sanniang's red outfit (I liked)

Sanniang leaves the temple.  I understand that in Ancient Chinese Series family and knowing your heritage is an important theme but for me that did not really explain why Sanniang left and became a thief. She could have done it because she knew the Abbot hated thieves and it was a way to rebel.  However, that would make sense only if people knew that Sanniang was related to the temple and the Abbot. Not even Li Gexiao who knew of Sanniang's love for pearls and how to catch her was aware that she was from that temple. So what was the point? Also by the time Sanniang left she was already an adult, and knew martial arts.  So there were ways she could take care of herself without having to resort to thievery.  

Sanniang's blue outfit (I liked)

For me, Sanniang's back story arc seemed the weakest and least necessary.  It really did nothing to add or reveal more about the person we meet and the person she becomes.  It just seemed like they wanted to give her a tragic background, which she already had up to the point she meet the Abbott.

Chai Hu

I liked Chai Hu backstory with the lover, because it played a little with some themes in Ancient Chinese Series.  Particularly one I saw in the Fairies of Liaozhai, was this idea which placed importance on male characters who lost a love was that they had to live and move on and have a family again.  It seemed like story after story in the Fairies of Liaozhai was about men who had one or two loves who die.  They are pitied but firmly told that they must love again.  I am not saying if someone loses someone close they shouldn't grieve then try to move on and live again. However in the stories it seems quite one sided. This was only done for the men.

In Chai Hu's story, he leaves his first love to go make money and doesn't come back.  However, for the lover being a woman, she did not have many possibilities at having a good life.  She was lucky to meet a man who loved and married her and her baby was born has his.  The differences that happened and the roles were played around with was that in this case the male lover leaves not gets killed off. All the women in Fairies of Liaozhai were killed off.  Chai Hu's lover doesn't have much backing or support.  The men in Liaozhai had support in one form or another.  When she does manage to move on and tries the best way she thought she could to protect the family she had now. She was portrayed almost like a complete villain.  I am not agreeing with her and her daughter's method at trying to deceive and use people especially Chai Hu but I didn't really see her as a bad person.

Her decision not to tell Chai Hu that she was pregnant seemed to me more of a contemporary notion. Because then women did not have the resources some have now to take care of a child on their own. She did not have a family or many friends. Even though she had a job that resource would have disappeared the moment her stomach started to show.  And once she had the baby things would have been worse.  This does not even involve the harassment she would have had to endure for being a single mother.  Most want to know that their lover stays with them because they want to and not by force. However, that really was not something of top priority in this situation because she and her child absolutely needed the support of another person in order to survive.  

He Xioamei

Xiaomei’s background had interesting potential, especially when the story started playing with the idea of hereditary ailment which tied into Xaiomei being a doctor.  The element of the supernatural was not an overall theme of the show but plays a part in Xiaomei’s story. Thought the show was more grounded in reality, there are things that happen that cannot always be explained or given reason even by someone as smart as Gexiao.  So, I wanted them to address that idea more than they kind of did.

The first issue that I had with Xiaomei’s story was how easily he believed and took off with the woman and old man who claimed to be his family when up to that point he had not really shown any interest about family except for his dead mother.  I am aware that family knowledge is an important priority for orphans especially and in Asian culture.  However, this seemed a bit extreme to me. Also Xiaomei seemed to me to be second in intelligence in the group. But when it came to observing things when he was on his own, he only seemed to come to some understanding only when Gexiao pointed them out to him.  

Xiaomei in Marshal outfit

This was another part of the show that I questioned.  I saw each of the partner’s back story arc as a means not only to show their story but to show their strengths and what they brought and made Yi Zhi Mei great and the other members including Gexiao would be there to aid and support them.

Another issue I had with Xiaomei story was that I wanted them to deal with the issue that Xiaomei might not live a long life because many male members of his family had died at a relatively young age and he also gets poisoned.  To me it seemed like the poison would have lasting effects that would likely kill him instead of being cured as quickly as it was.  There was also the story of the curse.  The explanation that was given just left me with more questions and loose ends.   Why did his father a seemingly good person kill all those people just because his second wife left him and took Xiaomei.  He still had Xiaomei’s older brother and his mother. Even if he loved Xiaomei’s mother more. Not to say that one love can replace another.   However you also had previous ancestors that also went on murderous rampage. 

Sanniang as a stand alone figure without the backstory and some things I found annoying was cool. But I wondered what if Xiaomei had been a woman? And she was the one that Gexiao loved?  It would have been interesting to have a girl Xiaomei be a master of disguise and be an absolute master at Chinese Opera male roles but couldn’t perform the female roles that she loved watching her mother do.  That would deal with the ideas of femininity, roles, perception and how people love.    

Yi Zhi Mei (illustrated shot)

I overall enjoyed the Strange Hero Yi Zhi Mei.  I had some issues that I tried to quickly address but it was a good show.

  

                     

Kimchi (김치)

Kimchi

Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean dish made from vegetables and a variety of seasoning.  Traditional Kimchi is allow to ferment underground in clay pots for periods of months.  There are hundreds of variety of Kimchi but most being made with either Napa cabbage, radish, cucumber or scallions as a main ingredient.  

I like Kimchi very much and have been eating it for a while now.  Mainly as a side dish or made into fried rice.  The first think I even thought that an individual could make Kimchi in a small apartment was in the Fall of 2011 at the Korean Festival in New Jersey.  I attended a Kimchi making demonstration and made some to take home.  However, even then I thought the preparation and making of the sauce was difficult.  That is until I was roaming the Internet for more Korean recipes.     I found that making Kimchi was relatively easy.  One just needed some time and the proper ingredients.  

So this June, I set out to make some Kimchi.  The recipe I used did not involve any anchovy or fish ( I was afraid to poison someone).  

Ingredients:

- 2 whole Napa Cabbage
- 1 Cup of Salt
-10 Cups of Water
- 7 Tbsp of Fish Sauce
- 1 1/4 Cup of Crushed Red Pepper
- 8 Pieces of Green Onion
- 1/2 of a Radish
- 1 Whole Garlic
- 1 Piece of Ginger
- 1/2 of an Onion
- 1/2 of an Apple
- 4 Tbsp of Sugar

First you will clean all the ingredients like the Napa and radish well.  Then, peal the radish, ginger, onion, garlic and apple.  Then cut the Napa into sections or bite sizes, depends on what you want. Also cut the radish into julienne.  Then slice the onion and green onion thinly.  Submerge the Napa in a bath of water and salt mixture. Allow that to seat for 2 hours.  

In a blender, puree the ginger, garlic, apple and onion. in a bowl combine the puree, red pepper, fish sauce and sugar.    

After the 2 hours, rinse the Napa and radish about 3 times.  Now completely cover the Napa leaves and radish in your red pepper mixture.  (Gloves and apron are recommended.  The red pepper mixture will stain your hands and cloths).  Put your Kimchi in a nice jar and store it in your kitchen in a dark cool corner for 1-3 nights depending on how sour you want then store in the fridge.  (I stored mine for 3 nights, shaking it every night because of the natural sediments that settles). 

Kimchi recipes also call for apple pear but i didn't have any so I substituted. 

Zucchini and Summer Squash Kimchi


 I also made a Kimchi from summer squash and zucchini.  The next one I made I would like to add carrots.


     


     

World Drinks

World Drinks

     I tent to like drinks that sweet, refreshing and sometimes fizzy.  When I was younger, I drank soda. However, realizing that it was bad for you, I stopped.  I mostly drank water and 100% fruit juices on occasions.  But every now and then I wanted something refreshing and fizzy but I did not want regular artificial soda. However, the well made ones, I wanted were just too expensive.  So I would buy syrups by Monin and just add seltzer or club soda to it..  Then I realized that many of Monin's syrups were not that healthy either, because of the artificial flavors and coloring.  So for a while I just missed the drinks I wanted.  

     A while ago, I came across a recipe about making your own strawberry syrup.  Which just involved strawberry, sugar and water.  No artificial flavors or any coloring.   So using that recipe I made strawberry syrup, which I used to make soda.

Strawberry Soda

The soda was very tasty and did not take that long or cost a lot.  The recipe for making the syrup was quite simple too.  

The recipe involved cleaning, hulling and cutting up the fruit and placing into a soup pan.   Add water  and put the pan over high heat and bring it to a boil.  Stir the mixture and turn the heat down to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.  After about the 15 minutes the fruit will lose all it's flavor and color into the water.  Strain the mixture discarding the pulp.  Add the sugar (based on your taste).  Bring the liquid to a boil on high heat.  Once it boils reduce the heat to medium for  5 minutes until the liquid as reduced.   At this point, skim the foam from the liquid, if there is any.   Let the liquid cool and there you have your syrup.  I just added club soda and garnished with pieces of strawberries.  

     Another syrup that I have been drinking since I was young is grenadine.  For a long time I used the grenadine from Monin, until I read the ingredients.  Grenadine is a syrup that is made from pomegranate, and is used to make many types of drinks.  However many grenadine manufactures don't use pomegranate to make their grenadine just  coloring.  I stopped buying Monin but I wanted my grenadine.  So I researched and found that grenadine is not that hard to make.  The recipes I found were usually written by bartenders since they use it so much.  The traditional recipe for grenadine usually uses molasses but some have used pomegranate molasses or fruits (mango and pineapple for a tropical hint).  Also there is orange blossom water, which I did not have the first time I tried it but it was still good.  There are different techniques to making grenadine. One is to heat your mixture  but not boil  and another is to boil it to reduce it further.  

Grenadine

Recipe:

2 cups 100% Pomegranate juice (can be concentrate)

2 cups sugar (white or cane. I used raw organic)

2 oz molasses (regular or pomegranate)

Few drops Orange Blossom Water

In a pot you will mix the pomegranate fruit and sugar.  Add the molasses and drops of orange blossom water and mix well.  I am not sure which method is best whether to simmer it to reduce it or just heat it enough to dissolve the sugar. What I did was simmer it to reduce it.  I have also seen a recipe where you add some lime zest or dried hibiscus to add another flavor and a deeper color.  If you add either, you are going to need to strain the liquid then you can store in a nice bottle in the fridge.   

Honey Lemon

I found another good recipe for a citrus syrup.  It was posted by ochikeron on youtube.  She has a great channel with amazing recipes that are quite easy.  She makes things seem so simple and effortless.  The recipe was for a honey lemon.  To make the honey lemon, you just need lemon, honey and a jar to store  it.  

Recipe;

2 organic lemon

300g of honey.

Wash and sanitize your container. Wash and dry your lemons.

Slice the lemons into thin slices. Put the lemon and pour honey over it alternating.  Store the jar in the fridge. shaking the juice once a day.  Remove the lemon slices after three days or it will become bitter.

I used the honey lemon for drinks and the honey lemon cupcakes that ochikeron also posted.  I also made another one that had lemon, lime and oranges which reminded of the syrup agrume from Paris.  

Thai Tea

    Another drink I really like is Thai tea.  I like it warm, cool and with Boba (Bubble/Tapioca).  Thai milk tea with Boba and pudding is great.  Thai tea is a special tea mix of tea and other spices.  I would make the mix myself but some of the spices are kind of expensive.  So for now it just make sense for me to buy the mix.  To make the Thai iced 

Recipe:

1/2 cup Thai tea mix

Evaporated milk

Water

Sugar

Bring the water to a boil.  Add in the tea mix and sugar, stir and allow to cook for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool.  Filter the tea and cool in the fridge (when I am in a hurry or can't wait I skip the fridge part).   Pour into glass with ice and add condensed milk.  Enjoy.

Thai milk tea w/ Boba

    When I want it warm I just add condensed milk and enjoy.   To make Thai milk tea with Boba.  You just follow the instruction for the iced tea and add the boba to your drink.   There are different types of bubble/boba/tapioca balls that can be found at asian food markets.  I got the ones that says it will cook in 5 minutes.  For the Boba you need to boil 5 cups of water and add 1/2 cup of the boba with 1 tbs of brown sugar (more based on taste). Cover the pot and cook for 5 minutes.  Drain, let cool and add to your tea.  You can used some other teas or add some juice for a flavor you would like to try.  

Ginger Beer

Ginger beer I had in Hong Kong

    The first time I ever came across ginger beer was in Hong Kong.  When I tried it, I hardly every dank anything else except this apple and jasmine drink.  I came back to New York, I could not find ginger beer anywhere.  Until I stopped in at a Pret a Manger store and saw it in the fridge.  But the can was around $4. Then, by accident I came across a youtube video about making your own ginger beer.  The recipe was simple enough but the process was long and used machines I didn't have.  But I wondered why it never occurred to me that I could try and make my own ginger beer.  Finally, I find recipes and processes that were much simpler.

Recipe: 

8 oz of finely chopped ginger (I used zester)

64 oz hot water

16 oz of sugar (I used raw)

2 lemon juiced

8 oz of water

1/4 oz active yeast

In a sauce pan put the water, ginger and sugar.  Bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes.  Strain the ginger  liquid.  Let the liquid cool until just warm.  I used two 1 liter soda but you can used a larger one.  Use a plastic bottle with a screw top because of the carbonation that might cause a glass bottle to explode.  Divide the ginger liquid between your two bottles.  Also divide your yeast between the two bottles. Shake well to mix.  Add water to the mixture, leaving about two inches of space.  Shake well and store in a dark cool place.  You will leave the bottle for about 48 hrs then put it in the fridge to stop the carbonation before drinking.  Check the bottles at the 24 hrs mark releasing some of the carbonation slowly by slowly un-screwing the cap.  You can drink it at the point if you like the amount of bubbles. Just cool it first.  There will be sediments at the bottom of the bottle.  You can drink or toss it. 

   My liked the way my ginger beer came out although it was darker because of the raw sugar and had a more intense ginger flavor.  But Since I can't have the one from Hong Kong, mine is just as good.  Even better.  

   I also used this same process to make PINEAPPLE BEER.  I just substituted the ginger for some pineapple I had and voila!

Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel. Clockwork Prince and Questions

Infernal Devices

 I heard from many that the Infernal Devices were much better than the Mortal Instruments especially since the author had published two more books after City of Glass.  I had found the idea of the Shadowhunters interested but felt the story was not that good. So, I wanted to see how the Shadowhunters would be when done well.  

Clockwork Angel

  I listened to the audio book of Clockwork Angel.  I did not mind the narrator, she made each voice seemed distinct although Tessa sounded similar to the other voices.  Clockwork Angel was similar to the Mortal Instruments, but I liked it a little more.  I liked Tessa more than Clary.  At the being Tessa was actually strong and not just said to be. I felt Tessa was strong because she had just arrived in London but someone else picked her up than her brother whom she expected.  Then we jump forward a few months and we find that she as been imprisoned all this time.  She has been emotionally and physical tortured and at one point whipped.  Though I don't remember her having any physical signs of it.  Did she change her skin so it would not have scars.  I would have liked to see Tessa's letter since it seems writing them played a part in remaining hopeful, sane and alive throughout her ordeal. 

    I was okay with Will, I didn't liked him as much as others seem to.  I liked Jem but it felt like he was just nice and there was nothing else to him. I felt he should have had more to him and thought he should have had sarcasm, bitterness, dark spirit and edge considering went the went through. Maybe in the following book we will see more to him.  I liked Charlotte and her ability to run the institute despite her youth, the criticism and that she probably had not been given any help in doing it.  Henry and his constant inventions.  Jessie did not appeal to me.  Sophie was okay.  I had the suspicion that whole time about De Quincy and the Magister.  I thought that the Magister would be someone human. I liked that they had Tessa used her power to go against the Magister, but I thought it stupid that she didn't take the object and gain information but not turn into the person or answer the Magister's question.  Since Tessa is conscious and aware no matter whom she turns into.  So why didn't she? It seemed a bit of a cop out that Tessa didn't even prick herself though she was supposedly ready to defeat the Magister and die if need be.  It seemed like other characters were able to move the events along, which if done right would have been great.   

Clockwork Prince

  Once I heard of Will's curse, I immediately knew it was not real.  Not because a curse like that couldn't exist but because nothing surrounding it supported it being true in any way.  I do see why a young Will would have believed it completely but once he would have reached the institute and started to be educated that he should have seen all the clues that concluded that there was no curse and his sister died of something else.  I found it weird that Will based everything over one event and it was never even spoke about it. I don't remember the demon saying that part of the curse was not to speak about it.  I would have thought will would become a expert in demons and the pyxis but he hardly knew nothing about it. Not even that the pyxis weakened demons.  What's the point a pyxis when it keeps the demon strong? 

     I found it sweet but a bit lacking that both Henry and Charlotte loved each other but based on a misunderstanding thought did other did not care for them.  Especially when Henry did all to protect Charlotte from the automaton and was holding her so close.  Was she unconscious then?   The blackmailing of Benedict Lightwood also seemed lacking in some tensity.   I didn't like Tessa as much as when I first learned of her.  the more I learned about her, I found she knew that she liked and was more attracted to Will and almost always thought of Jem as a friend and she said her goal was finding her identity.  But then she just accepts Jem proposal even when she knew that if she married and will suddenly wanted her she might have an affair. Tessa was willing to marry Jem because he too delicate and she is so selfless because she broke her own heart to make someone else happy? 

      

Clockwork Princess

      From what I have heard about Clockwork Princess, I don't think I am going to read it. The biggest issue for me is the ending and what they did to Jem and the Epilogue.  Why did Cassandra Clare not let Jem die since he had asked all his friends not to look for a cure.  He should have died in battle. Jem I don't see choosing to become a brother because he would lose everything that he held dear or had cared about that kept him living.  Jem died and Will felt the break of their parabatai link.  So how did a dead Jem become a brother, although I never heard of the process that makes a brother.  Even if for whatever reason Jem becomes a brother, he stopped being Jem so there is no way that ending would have happened.  I don't know much about the brothers and the clave but Jem would have been a great asset so why would they just cure him, lose a great brother so that Tessa could have Jem after she had already had will? 

    Another, which I already suspected since the beginning was Tessa's warlock origin.  Once they said that she was a warlock I knew she would from a combination that was deemed rare.  I didn't understand why no one suspected that she could be a Shadowhunter and Demon offspring when the possibility existed. I know Will kept saying the offspring would be dead but that seemed based on propaganda to stopped any Shadowhunter from consorting with demons and not based on real evidence. So, it was not a big shock that Clare wanted to make it.  Also, why is that Tessa can have children? I have yet to read so I don't know what reasoning Clare gave, but in all the previous books warlock are not fertile.  What makes Tessa so special? Because she is half shadowhunter and shadowhunters are so great? Tessa should have remain infertile so we could see what losing that possibility did to the relationship with Will or anyone lover who would have wanted children in the future. 

Questions:

Here are some questions that I had that linked the overall mythology of shadowhunters from the Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices and now the movie.   

     Why is it that in the Mortal Instruments only Shadowhunters and downworlders can see themselves.  While in Infernal Devices Shadowhunters and Downworlders are only hidden when they are using glamour or something similar.  Will mentions this sometimes the only time he is not seen by normal people it was because he was using some glamour, but in The Mortal Instruments people can not see them "unless they believe" although in the movie clip people can see Clary.  She is actually a shadowhunter, so why can normal people see her but not the others? The logic in Infernal Devices makes more sense.   I don't understand why that logical gap was not fixed in the Mortal Instruments movie that was filmed after the Infernal Devices came  out.  In the trailer there is a clip where Clary is walking down the street with the other shadow hunters and someone recognizes and sees only her. Why? Clary is a shadowhunter since she was born so no normal person should have been able to see her, Jocelyn and Luke from the beginning. For me that does not make any sense. 

      Why is that Jace in the 2000s is saying that women shadowhunters were only allowed to be warriors a generation before while in Victoria, England Charlotte and Jess were both great warriors.  The Clave even had Sophie and Tessa trained even though Sophie is a person and a servant and Tessa a downworlder.  Did something happen? Because that a big gaping question.  

         I liked the idea of Parabatai but in Mortal Instruments Jace and Alec were not even friends let along have the bond of a Parabatai.. Will and Jem were a little bit of a better example.  However, how is it that though they had this suppose stronger than brotherhood bond with a steadfast friendship despite all  neither knew that the other had some feelings for Tessa?
        Of the City of Bones trailer I have seen. There are only two things I liked.  One, the kind of tone they are trying to go for with the darker and fight scenes and two the image of Magnus Bane below. The movie seemed to have been modified so that Isabel and Alec will be at the fight with the vampires. Also Valentine does not look anything like Jace and it was one of the things I thought might have been great in the book.  The physical resemblance between Jace and Valentine and how that could play in foreshadowing of Jace's life. Even Jocelyn who knew Jace was not her child could not seem to get over the resemblance.
     The image below invokes the idea of Magnus that I had in my head someone sexy and mysterious with experience and wisdom behind his eyes and beyond the years he appears and has lived. With all the other images I can't see beyond the glister and lip gloss.

Magnus Bane