What a difference a sad event in someone's life makes ...

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)
Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

Quote:
A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stock room.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.
A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

Unquote:
If you are reading this, just imagine that I am hugging you as far as my arms can reached.
God bless!

Vegetarian Bee Hoon with Mock Chicken

Vegetarian Bee Hoon with Mock Chicken
It was daunting to walk to the shop in the bitter cold but I was feeling peckish.
Hmmmmm, wondering what to eat next as my tummy was still rumbling after breakfast?.
Aha, there was half a can of mock chicken in the fridge and some dried vermicelli. That would do, simple comfort food and no time to prepare at all.

I do not usually follow a recipe so this is just an estimate, adjust according to your taste.
It takes less than ten minutes to cook, thus organise what you need before beginning to fry.

Ingredients
1. Half a pack of vermicelli (bee hoon). Soften in cold water for about 15-20 minutes. Drain in colander.
2. 2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
3. Half can mock chicken sliced. Use juice from can too.
4. Mix 3 tablespoon light soya sauce, 2 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce and ¼ cup of warm water. Mix well.
5. A dash of white pepper (optional)
6. About 4 tablespoon EVO
7. Dash of sesame oil
8. Sprig of coriander, roughly sliced

Method
1. Heat wok.
It’s very important to add oil into a smoking wok to create the wok hei effect. See Note.
Do not add oil into a cold wok before heating.
2. When wok is smoking, add oil. When oil is hot, add garlic, quick stir, less than a second and push to side of wok.
3. Add bee hoon, leave it just for a second, flip and mix in the garlic.
If you cannot control the fire, lower the flame a bit. Action must be very quick.
4. Add dash of pepper if using. You can smell the aroma. Mix well with chopsticks for less than a minute.
5. Push bee hoon to a side, add mock chicken and cover completely with bee hoon.
This will give the mock chicken a chance to be heated through.
6. Flick/sprinkle warm stock at edges of bee hoon and mix well. Add stock bit at a time. Do not add the whole bowl at once to prevent bee hoon from breaking and mushy.
You may need to scrap bottom of wok.
7. Add dash of sesame oil , mix well and ensure mock chicken is heated through.
8. Adjust seasoning, add coriander and serve.

Note1: The meaning of Wok Hei - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wok_hei

Note2: It would be lovely with bean sprout and celery leaves.
Extremely versatile with other ingredients too.
Waste not what’s in your fridge. Let your imagination runs.