Seattle – Have you eaten?

life, love, Personal, personal view, Seattle, Uncategorized, Writing

Tender Heart Heals Your Broken Heart

November 11, 2017November 11, 2017by have you eaten?Leave a Comment

I want that kind of face with a huge smile. I admire her gentle heart. Her smile reminds me of autumn sunset.

Cindy was sitting and waiting for me to meet up for a coffee that morning. She was looking at her phone and reading something. Even from the distance, I could see her kind eyes and lips were forming my favorite shape. Smile. I approached to her and she looked up. Her smile got bigger and that made me choke. My throat got tighten and my eye welled up. I wanted to cry, but I didn’t.

She is a great hugger too. She held me the way I wanted to be held (of course, I didn’t realize that until she did). As soon as I started hearing her soothing voice, my emotion got flooded. I told her my struggles. She showed her empathy, understanding and shared her own struggles. She was there. I mean, she really exited and showed up to heal my broken heart. She did not lose her smile even when we were talking about rough subjects. Then, I lost it and started sobbing.

“You are enough.”

Cindy said that to me twice sincerely when we said good-bye. She went through rough times, challenges and difficulties, but she embraces all of it. That makes her such a strong and resilient human being. Because of that, she possesses the tenderest heart and she is a person who tell others “you are enough.”

Those three words are so powerful and beautiful to me.
I will keep them with me each and every day. Thank you for your gift, Cindy. You are enough also.

food, life, love, Musing, Personal, restaurant, Seattle

Instant Antidepressant: Baby, it’s cold outside so let’s go out!

November 6, 2017November 6, 2017by have you eaten?Leave a Comment

Watching the snow falling is one of the beautiful things in the world, but it is not really my favorite thing to do. It makes me feel a bit blue and depressed. I think it’s because I know this peaceful quietness would disappear very soon.

Yesterday, Sunday November 5th 2017, it was a bit snowing and intensely cold for November in Seattle. I love Seattle autumn, but I guess I was not ready for this weather. However it turned into one of the most delightful days.

Here is list of how I make those cold and blues go away.

OXTAIL PHO at BA BAR (http://babarseattle.com)

Classic Vietnamese repertoire, beef noodle soup. Noodle have gotten better now at Ba Bar. It won’t get bundle up and like a giant mochi any more. Broth tastes exactly how I wanted it to taste like. Combination of savoriness, tons of umami, a tat sourness and slight sweetness. Make sure to breathe in the complexity of this noodle soup before digging in. Then, you taste the meat falling off from the bones and noodle at the same time. It warms your belly and heart at the same time.

PIPE & ROW (https://pipeandrow.com) and BURNT SUGAR (https://burntsugar.us)

Strolling stores in cute neighborhood like Fremont is essential especially on a chilly day like this. Looking at those pairs of shoes that cost way more than you can afford but it’s so nice to dream. Someday in Paris 🙂 You can do it yourself but it would be much more fun with your trusted and honest friends who are not afraid of saying, “No, you look ridiculous in that dress” or “You look amazing. You must get that sweater.”

YOUR BESTIES
I don’t call people “friends” very easily. Honestly, I only have several friends whom I gave my respect and the highest regards to. I got to go out and eat pho, drink coffee, shop, talk, make fun of each other and laugh. Most importantly, love. Since I have a few friends, I can easily open up my heart and show who I am when being with them. I show how important and precious they are to me. I share my life, small and big with them. They give me so much hope and strength to keep going. It’s pure happiness. There is no better way to fill your soul.

Dark, rainy and cold days are coming in Seattle soon. However, as long as I have these things, I don’t need to go seek for antidepressants. When your heart is open, depressing days can easily turn into happy days just like I experienced yesterday. That’s instant and long-lasting at the same time.

restaurant, Seattle

Seattle Food Icon: The Dish (no famous chef required)

February 22, 2015by have you eaten?3 Comments

There is something romantic about eating at a diner, especially at the counter. Drinking a very bad cup of coffee in a very thick unmatched ceramic mug. The food is greasy and its portion is gigantic so it’s promising that you’ll get a huge gut-bomb even while you are eating. You can easily find those diners in NYC but there are not many in Seattle. The Dish is one of only a few and very valuable.

Since I moved to Seattle in 2000, I have been coming here. It is a small restaurant. The counter seats 8 people and there are 9 four-top tables. They only open from 8 am to 2 pm, are closed on Mondays and all national holidays. If you arrive there after 10 am, you should be ready for waiting. Outside. Summer in Seattle is gorgeous, so there is no problem waiting outside. But winter? Wet and cold…but the line does not get shorter. Of course, there is bottom-less coffee with unmatched ceramic mugs while waiting. You sometimes have to go to the bathroom twice before you get seated. People in Seattle adore this place despite these inconvenient factors.

The menu is not that original, regular American. Lots of eggs, starch and meat. Not a lot of gluten-free or vegan options but this place attract people. 98% of Seattle population either knows about this place or has been there, I bet you. Nobody will judge you if you dine there alone. It’s actually quite comfortable place to do so. It has lots of sunlight so it’s nice to eat there when the weather is nice. It’s equally good to dine there on rainy Sunday’s as well.

Their food is good, it doesn’t necessarily wow you. But I repeatedly go there because of the charm, consistency, nostalgia, comfort and romance that this place offers. The Dish will remind you of your grandma. It’s like eating your breakfast in her 50’s kitchen with a bunch of other people.