October152009
10/15/09 - Salmon Rice with Crisped Salmon Skin.
Two days ago, I nearly crashed into another car at the driving school.
At the time, I was slowly negotiating my way out of a curve. There was a car directly ahead of me, so I thought to myself: I must brake now, or I might hit that. I had completely forgotten, my foot was still on the accelerator pedal, and in all of my eagerness to react, I stamped down.
The car flew forward. I remember the horror on that woman’s face, as I headed directly for the driver’s seat. Within a split second, I found the brake, but by the time I stopped, we were only inches apart.
I covered my face with both hands and leaned into the steering wheel, cold sweat breaking. It was fortunate, the woman did not make wild turns in a panic. If she had done so, the timely brake may not have saved us.
Instead, she waited,
as I should have too, before reacting.
***
While I am writing this, I keep remembering a dinner Pony and I made for our grandparents not too long ago. After a round of vichyssoise that night, we served salmon rice pyramids topped with the fish’s skin. Though crisped to perfection, the strips of skin were too salty. We had been overly excited about marinating, and turned too generous a hand over our fish. The skin ended up absorbing most of the hit.
You must wait a while every time after you flavor, mom reminded us. Don’t be in a hurry to gauge the results right away. They are not accurate. It takes a bit of time for the flavors to spread.
It also, takes a bit of time for clarity to come.
The faster reaction is not always the better one.
***
You will pass the test, my driving coach said to me despite the incident.
You know why you will pass?
I was too focused on the driving at the time and made no answer, so he continued on his own,You will pass because you have phoenix eyes.
(They call eyes that slant upward like mine, phoenix eyes)
What?! I couldn’t help it.
I’ve never heard that one before.
That’s because you are young, and there are many things you still don’t understand, my coach said with much satisfaction.
I won’t argue with blessings, but I am resolved to master my calm for those phoenix eyes to work their charm.
