Exploring

Today I went exploring. I live in a semiwalkable neighborhood and some days I just feel like walking. This feeling was born in Thailand. Almost daily, a partner and I (usually Anslee) would walk off into unexplored Thai territory. Each time I'd find some little nugget of excitingness. It's not nearly as fun to explore the area around my condo as it was to explore the area around Ban Rau, but it's close.

Like today, I had to go to the bank to do a couple of banking errands. The bank is about 3/4 mile away, so I figured while I was out I'd check out the a few stores across the street. I was on the lookout for a saucepan: the only cookware item that I needed, but didn't have. I wanted a good quality one for less than $7. I knew it probably wasn't going to happen, but I intended to deeply enjoy the exploratory walk. I checked out Tuesday Morning, but they only had one saucepan and it was $35. Then Ross: nada, cheap stuff for $14+.

Then... TJMaxx had something really interesting a small wok hanging front row, center on the pot rack. I fondled it, satisfied with its weight, wondering if this item was actually what I wanted all along. I am making orange chicken and "lo mien" stir fry tonight... Plus it was the least expensive item in the whole cookware section. I decided to hide it near its home on the pot rack for possible retrieval and check out the next store. Target had an entry level saucepan on sale for $7.99 and the Paula Deen one that makes me drool, but in the wrong color. There are two more stores in the area, but the little wok at TJMaxx had started to ping in my heart. I quickly made my way to the back of the store, pulled it from the hole I had stuck it in, fondled it a bit more, read the packaging, wondered if it would actually work well for both uses, decided it would, patted myself on the back for finding a frugal product with multiple uses, and took it to the checkout line.

A sweet Japanese lady was waiting in line in front of me. I don't usually talk to strangers, but she seemed as happy about my little wok as I was. We spent our couple of minutes together talking about homemade food, Asian cooking, and Eastern travel. She asked what kind of things I cook. I said "well, tonight I'm making orange chicken and stir fry, hence the pot." She smiled approvingly and said "well, tonight I make Japanese food." She made my day. Cashier #2 became available and I wished her a good dinner as she walked away. I guess she made the day come full circle. Asian people and older foreign ladies make my world a wonderful one.

I see friends shaking hands
Saying "how do you do?"
They're really saying
"I love you."

***Update***
Wow! Wow! Wow! This orange chicken is the_bomb.com. I put in waaaaay too much pepper flakes but I still can't put it down. Stay tuned for the recipe tommorrow.