Author: yvonnepearl

Birds flying high …

~ yvonnepearl ~ Leave a comment

Nina Simone is just the most amazing singer to listen to when you feel happy.

What I love about her is that it never gets out of style, from generations to generations, we all listen to her and feel such an amazing feeling. I’d say I’m an old soul when it comes to music. I love MUSIC in general. Anything that makes noise, has a beat which I can dance to is interesting and I can get started. Started for what?

I experience music in a way that’s maybe unknown for others but it’s perfect for me. I just focus on the beat, the melody, the lyrics and get to travel so far away from my concerns or bad thoughts. Music makes me stronger if I feel low, weak or even sad. It awakens my soul and my body when I use it to dance or exercise. I can cry, laugh, reminisce … It’s a memory, an old image that comes back like the Madeleine (smell) for Marcel Proust (French writer)

Music has inspired my life, has helped me make the most important choices and I am not even a musician … I’m just like these kinda people who get overwhelmed by sound.

I’ll post songs and the feelings that emanate from them …

The impact of saying thank you

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I know for a fact that some individuals have this tendency to forget these two simple words. Thanking someone does not take any huge effort. It is automatic for some and difficult for others. I’ve always thought it came from childhood and the way we were brought up. Should we expect to hear it? If we do and the other person stays silent is this viewed as a denigration for us. Do we feel hurt?

The issue here is not that we feel hurt. It’s more that we feel we have stronger values than this other individual. We do not understand why he would not say thank you for a favor we did for him. Are we looking to be thanked each time we do something for someone else? Is that why we do it? Where the motivation comes from? Or is it just an act of altruism? Wanting to please others without receiving. What if we lived that way? Wouldn’t everything be easier?

I realized many fights between couples or friends can be triggered because of a similar situation. Buying a gift for someone and feeling that he or she does not appreciate it that much, surprising someone who does not care for that … C’est la vie.

Here in LA and throughout the US, people seem more polite than in Europe. You even feel awkward at some times when they smile too much or keep on saying nice things to you. In LA people are nice but not too demonstrative (like Midwesterners). I had to get accommodated to this “hey how’s it going?”, “how are you today”, “have a great Monday”, “have a great one” … Some of these nice thoughts were even blurry at first. I finally understood and I’m still trying to do the same. For it to become spontaneous it takes time. The French/Parisian cold attitude gets a while to get rid of. Even though I was never this kind of person in Paris, it just is part of my skin who I am and what I am so used to.

The only problem with these “thank-yous” is that you get so affected if it’s the people you love who forget to say these two very simple words. They are the only one that truly matter to you and for this reason you are expecting a kind word from them. They seem to forget it or just believe we do not care anymore. It is the most important thing we need. THANK YOU is not hard, it should not be a battle, it should just be like breathing … Start making others happy it doesn’t cost anything, it doesn’t take any energy.

Remember this first advice: SAY THANK YOU!

Sushi No TV

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As you must have understood now, I’m a sushi lover. When we don’t feel like cooking at home, take out sushi is the best solution. At Whole Foods the sushi boxes are pretty expensive for what they are and not really good. We found that the Japanese Market in Japan Town had amazing fresh salmon and great punzu imported straight from Japan. So we usually get that, slice it at home and also buy good sushis at Vicente Food in Brentwood. It’s hard to find the Red Bean Mochis now in supermarkets but it’s still available in Japan Town. Make your sushi/cut roll look good on a plate. It’s very important that you like what you’re about to eat. Eating out of a take out box is a bad habit, you do not enjoy the food as much and you will not feel as satisfied.

The nicest thing about having a sushi nite is that you can focus on the rest. When you cook an entire meal at home, you do not have time usually to set a nice atmosphere. So get some nice scented candles, subdued lights, create a playlist for this special evening (Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong …) I’d recommend not turning on the TV, it just ruins everything. Enjoy the person sharing this meal with you, or if you’re alone, just enjoy, relax and start dreaming of Japan …

Sushi’Thon

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We decided to try out every sushi place in town to share with other sushi lovers.

I called it the Sushi-Marathon also known as the “sushithon”.

As I already said in an earlier post, LA sushi are the best. There is no comparison allowed with French Japanese restaurants. I could eat Japanese food for lunch and dinner everyday. It’s fresh, healthy and amazingly tasty.

#1:  Hama Sushi in Venice

For the quality of the fish, freshness, originality (rolls/fish selection), friendly Japanese chef . The best spot, especially if you want an experience sitting at the sushi bar (cf. post “dinner at Hama“)

#2: Kushiyu in Tarzana 

Price is good for the quality. I’d recommend the HAMACHI CILANTRO to start (Yellowtail sashimi w/cilantro and jalapeno, garlic olive oil ponzu sauce). It awakens your senses.It was my first time trying sea urchin. I’m not a big fan but the people say it’s very good there. My favorite rolls were the CORN CRUNCH ROLL (Shrimp tempura roll with corn tempura outside) and the SWEET CRUNCHY ROLL (Sea eel tempura w/cucumber inside, avocado outside w/crunchy green onion & eel sauce on top) Don’t forget the tastiest sushis: MEBACHI MAGURO TORO (Big Eye Tuna Belly / NJ) and the KANPACHI (Premium yellowtail / Hawaii)

What I loved about this place is that they tell you the provenance for each fish on the menu. Best for a party of four or more. I forgot to take pictures since it was so enjoyable!

#3: The Izaka-Ya by Katsuya West Hollywood 

The menu is similar to Katsuya but the spot is way more relaxed and laid back. I prefer this kind of atmosphere to eat sushi.
We got the Salmon Sashimi w/ Black Caviar to start which in my opinion was a mistake. It was soft, not much taste and pricy. I’d get the Seared Salmon Sashimi w/ Truffle Sauce if you’re looking for new experiences. Don’t miss on the Crispy Rice w/ Spicy Tuna,  the Halibut Carpaccio w/ Yuzu Vinaigrette, the Seared Crispy Salmon Tempura and the famous Creamy Rock Shrimp Tempura roll yum! 

#4: Sugar Fish (many locations) 

This place is not the most original. If you want to get an extraordinary experience, new flavors and awesome creations it’s not the spot. Nevertheless, I have to admit the fish is pretty good, smooth, fresh. I specify that because I had bad experiences in other Japanese Sushi restaurants with the fish not being easy to cut with your teeth. It shouldn’t happen  if the chef knows what he is doing and the product is fresh. I usually go either for the “Trust me menu” (30 dollars) or the “Trust me lite” (20 dollars). I love these names for sushi menus.

It is really true that the number one thing you should do when going to one of the places listed on this post, is to TRUST. Yes, trust the waiter/chef and just go with the flow. Just specify what you dislike, your allergies, … It’s an amazing experience each time for me. Thanks to this place, I discovered all the different sauce you could put on your fish to make it taste way better (ponzu, onzu ponzu …) I take out a lot from this place now, it’s a bit cheaper too.

Bon Appétit

Thanksgiving thanksreceiving

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It is thanksgiving and I am in Los Angeles.
The funny thing about this holiday is that everyone or almost everyone seems to be thankful for what they have, who they share their lives with and so on.
You will notice that most of the Facebook status are “I’m thankful to have such an amazing family”,”to be healthy” … What does it mean?
Is it because we know that today since it’s thanksgiving, we must be or feel thankful? Are we forcing ourselves? Do we feel good about it?
What I’m trying to understand is how people can be nice, kind, devoted and thankful on that particular day and forget about it the next morning.

The human brain is complicated we are all aware of that. How can you possibly explain that after watching an amazing romantic comedy you feel the need to say nice things to people or you want to find someone to love?
Are we in control or do we get affected by small little things without noticing?

Thanksgiving is a great holiday. Everyone gets together to share a nice meal to share their thoughts to laugh …
It’s usually pretty simple. It all boils down to a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, gravy, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and good wine. That’s the way I’ve always celebrated it. The food can be incredible if the spirit of thanksgiving is not present, you will not experience the true meaning of this holiday.
Everyone should be grateful for what they have everyday, all year round. When you wake up in the morning take a second to appreciate your heated home, your breakfast and maybe your life will make more sense. I realized a lot lately that’s why I’m bringing this up.

It is yet so simple to say nice things to the people around us, is it easy to act in that respect? I bought Christmas cards so I can send my greetings to people I love. Why? Because I feel it is essential to make others happy, content, loved. It is not much but little details, small actions as a whole, combined, can create an extraordinary strength within you …  A kindness and mindful heart. Now let’s change chapters and move on to Hanukah and Christmas, shall we?

YP

Driving your life

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You cannot do anything, get anywhere, meet anyone, if you do not have a car here in LA. Renting is enjoyable for a while, nevertheless you pay the cost. Then comes the lease option. I’ve always preferred owning. Here in LA, what you drive is who you are.

I just went on a big journey of looking for my dream car, the perfect match.
I love the environment, I figured getting a Toyota Prius was the way to go. Yes I’d save in gas but would it be worth it?

I had a conversation with a friend of mine who also moved in LA recently. She advise me to get a convertible. Being European, new in LA, usually the choice is easy: either Mini Cooper or mustang. I wanted to be original, small, discreet but fashionable. Yes, that’s who I am. I looked on ever dealer’s lot, for hours, comparing the mpg per gallon. Learning about the car business, the warranties, checking blogs on car (which trust me act as sleeping pills).

However, after all this torture, one shiny day, I finally had a crush. This crush I was expecting for so long. Yes I had a crush on a car. It felt good because I’m sure she felt it too. I’m guessing its a she, I mean the interior is beige the exterior is night blue. Okay she is convertible so it helps.
The sun is shinning, I just pull a button and in 20 seconds, I can feel wind on my face coming from the ocean, smell the salty breeze, get a sunbeam. Isn’t it the best feeling? To feel, to experience the gifts of Mother Nature.

Driving a car cannot come without a great playlist. I’ll create a special category for playlists soon. Check out the driving in sunshine one.

You do not only drive a car, everyday you drive your life. You break from time to time. When you are enthusiastic you step on the gas and even use the stick shift to feel like you control your feelings. Do you stop at the red light? You are the only one who can answer. I know it’s risky to just drive through a red light, it’s not even blinking. What if you took a bet? I am not advising you to get into an accident here. Just making some parallels with our lives.
Yes it’s easy to live comfortably, to have a mellow life. To be okay with it, maybe it’s your personality. It’s definitely not mine.

YP

Election Night Table

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Delicious and varied food to munch while waiting for the next President of the USA.

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-Pita Bread cut in quarters, humus, olives, dried edamames, gyozas, boiled eggs, cooked eggpland, chicken wings, barbecue sauce, dried banana chips, salt and pepper

You can always use this for a game night, an easy friend gathering (add cocktails such as Mojitos and Sangria)

Bon Appétit