leek, mushroom, bean curd 韭蔥、冬菇、豆腐

New Year Day, we took some leeks home from the farm. But I had no experience in cooking them. I met Joyce* online the other day, talked about fresh leek and she suggested that I should try to make the leek potato soup. First try. Taste extremely good.

1月1日,在農場拿了些韭蔥回家,我可從沒有煮韭蔥的經驗。在網上看到Joyce*,說到新鮮韭蔥,她說用來做薯仔燙吧!第一次煮韭蔥薯仔燙,非常美味。

***

Calvin Lee* and his family came for lunch not long ago. I served the dried mushroom that shipped from Hong Kong. Mrs. Lee told me that Korean loves to cook with dried mushroom as well but it is hard to find here. We also talked about bean curd, here we could only find the salty one. When Calvin and his family were missionary in Africa, Mrs. Lee made bean curd by herself even though it is hard to find soy bean there. After lunch, we gave them the rest of the dried mushroom as present and they were glad.

This morning, Calvin called and said his wife made some bean curd and like to give us some as well. They drove to our apartment, as they are in a rush, we received their gift in front of our block. Calvin said with a smile that they didn’t make a lot this time, and I said next time I will learn to make it with Mrs. Lee. This is a cloudy and windy day. Bean curd looks so white and peaceful.

不久前我們邀請了Calvin*一家人到來吃午飯。我用從香港寄來的冬菇宴客,Calvin太太說韓國人也愛吃冬菇,不過在這邊很難找到。我們又談到豆腐,在這兒到的只有鹹豆腐。Calvin一家在非洲宣教時,太太會自己做豆腐,不過黃豆不易找。飯後我們送還餘下的冬菇給他們,他們高興的收下。

這個早上,Calvin來電,說太太做了豆腐要給我們一些。他們開車到我們家,由於時間趕著,我們在門外收下親手做的豆腐。Calvin說做的不多,我說下一回我要學怎樣做。今天天陰大風,豆腐白白的很平靜。

***

Food make me think of hands. My hands that pull the leeks out of the field, hands that grow them in the farm, Mrs. Lee hands that made bean curd, Titus hands that chopping potatoes, Joyce hands that sent us the dried mushroom. Food shows our passion to life, shows love between people. In the last few weeks, we have been visiting friends and ate delicious food. The beauty and taste of the food, came people love to us.

這些食物,讓我想到雙手。我從農地拔出韭蔥的手、種韭蔥的人的手、Calvin太太做豆腐的手、Titus切薯仔的手、Joyce寄冬菇來的手。食物展現了對生命的熱愛,展現人與人之間的情。過去幾星期到朋友家中作客,吃到美味的菜色。食物的美,來自人們給我們的愛。

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Begins here 就這樣開始吧!

2012的第一天,與朋友們到農場一回。Jonathan愛爬樹,我則把那一刻記錄下來。就這樣開始吧!

The first day of 2012, we went to the farm with our friends. Jonathan loves to climb tree. I captured the moment. A new beginning starts here.

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to our beloved one 給我們所愛的人

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Diary of a Country Priest

Last night I watched Bresson’s* Diary of a Country Priest (Le Journal d’un curé de campagne, 1951) with T. Thanks for my mom brough some of my DVD collections here. This film has been on my shelf for long time but I never had a chance to watch it. I guess I was waiting for a prefect time to appreciate one of my favourite director’s work.

Same as all other Bresson’s works, Diary of a Country Priest was so precisely made. Bresson powerfully used cinematography (remarks: “cinematography” for Bresson has the special meaning of creative film-making which thoroughly exploits the nature of film as such. It should not be confused with the work of a cameraman.)  and sound through out the film. I couldn’t stop myself thinking about every single shots of the movie.

Just went back to my little book Notes on the Cinematographerr (by Robert Bresson):

Two types of film: those that employ the resources of the theatre (actors, direction, etc.) and use the camera in order to reproduce; those that employ the resources of cinematography and use the camera to create.

I always dream that I could make a film that share the same idea of Bresson. But it is so difficult and I realise my mind could never be so clear and detail.

I don’t have more word to talk about this film. Afterall, this isn’t a critical writing and I just like to share that I saw a film that moved my heart.

A quote from the ending of the film (as from the original novel by Georges Bernanos):

He did not seem to hear me. But a few moments later he put his hand on mine and his eyes clearly indicated that I should lean closer. He then said very slowly, but altogether distinctly, the following words, which I record here exactly:

“What does it matter? All is grace.”

He died, I believe, just after.

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Oh, hear the angel voices 聽到天使的聲音

Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth

A powerful caroling evening at the International Cafe* last night. His presence filled up the place. I love every single one that have been coming to our coffee house. And I pray that they will understand this love.

昨晚於International Cafe*過了不平凡的一夜。這全因上主的同在。我愛每一位相識於Cafe的人,但願他們能體會這愛。

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