Christmas Weekend 2021

I finally got to have a proper Christmas holiday (i.e., not staying in a hotel by myself and getting food picked up or delivered).

Christmas Eve

Feast of the Seven Fishes

Osteria via Stato

Roasted Garlic, Balsamic Vinegar

Salt Crusted Ciabatta Bread

Baccala (Salt Cod) Spread, Crostini

Rhode Island Calamari, Hot Cherry Peppers

Grilled Octopus, Fingerling Potatoes

Seafood Stew (Seared Scallops, Shrimp, Market Fish, Garlic Ciabatta Bread)

Seafood Linguine (Calamari, Scallops, Shrimp, Spicy Tomato Sauce)

Roasted Local Butternut Squash

TIRAMISU (VERMONT CREAMERY MASCARPONE, VALRHONA COCOA POWDER, ESPRESSO-SOAKED LADY FINGERS)

Christmas Day

The obligatory eggnog

Roast Duck Legs

Italian Sausage with Cajun Dirty Rice

Roast Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Chopped Pecans, and Maple Syrup and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze

Torta Negra & Ponche Crema (from BienMeSabe)

 Boxing Day

BienMeSabe

Venezuela Christmas Dish (Hallaca, ham bread, chicken salad, and oven roasted pork): it’s missing the ham bread, so they refunded the entire dish

Pabellon Dish (Stewed fish served with white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains)

So, reader, I am asking for your stories. How was your Christmas weekend?

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.

Remember the victims

Dennis Zhang

Shot and killed during a robbery, his cell phone for sold for $100

Woom Sing Tse

Shot 22 times execution-style

Rae Sub Park

Shot and killed during an apparent robbery

Suraj Mahadeva

Shot in the back of the head during a drive-by shooting

Four individuals of Asian descent were killed in a little over a month, yet none had been considered hate crimes. They were easy targets. The increase in violence in Chicago must be declared a public health crisis.

So, reader, I am asking for your thoughts. Are we seeing an increase in violence or are crimes against people of Asian descent are now just more reported in the news now? Should they be prosecuted as hate crimes, since they were intended targets?

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.

Happy Holidays?

I was reading some opinions on how non-Christians should respond if someone wishes them Merry Christmas, so I thought I’d put my own thoughts “on paper.”

As we hurtle towards the end of the year, we’re coming up fast towards the final holiday of each year. Is it a religious holiday? Is it a secular holiday? Is it just a time for family get-togethers? Is it offensive to wish someone Merry Christmas because it’s a religious holiday unique to Christians? Or is it even? 

Christmas as celebrated really isn’t very Christian-y. Of course if it’s about celebrating the birth of Christ, which we already know was the wrong date, then of course it would be inappropriate if you’re not Christian. Is it any more offensive to wish someone Happy Ramadan, Happy Holi, Happy Moon Festival, etc.? Does wishing someone Happy [insert holiday] imply you “condone” another religion?

I’d say do whatever you feel comfortable with with a clear conscience as long as you’re not being offensive or dismissive. If someone wishes you Merry Christmas, are they forcing their Christianity down your throat or just making a standard holiday greeting that happens to be around Christmas? I guess the important thing is, if you’re the type to feel offended if someone wishes you Happy Holi even if you’re not Hindu, Happy Ramadan even if you’re not Muslim, or Happy Hanukkah even if you’re not Jewish, maybe you should rethink your relationship with people of other faiths.

On the other hand, if I celebrate Christmas, is it offensive for you to wish me Merry Christmas? If I wish you Merry Christmas because I celebrate Christmas, is it sacrilegious to respond with “same to you” or something similar?

So, reader, I am asking for your thoughts. I’m not really looking for answers. I don’t think there is one.

As always, please keep it civil and relevant. I promise I will refrain from commenting on your experience, but I might be curious enough to ask questions to better understand your story.