Bastille Day

Le Quatorze Juillet - Fete de la Federation

Today is a bad day for me. That's what my Vitenamese officemate told me when we chatted on Facebook a few minutes ago. Why a bad day? Because today my condo had a temporary water disconnection and doesn't have a water supply for few hours. So how can I go to the office without taking a shower or brushing my teeth. Then few minutes later, I was reminded that I still have the keys of my old apartment. I hurriedly went there to take a quick shower. Then when I arrived in the office I found out that I don't have my celfone in my bag. I just assumed I left it in my condo. I was wrong, I actually left it in the cab this morning. I asked my Vietnamese officemate to call my celfone, then she said that somebody answered the fone. It was the driver who kept it and will give it back asap. Well thank God the driver is kind. Things get fucked up but I noticed that the situation find its way to fix things at the same time. Without forcing the situation, good things work on its own. Although history wise, this day screwed up my life but I am very thankful that after a year here I am rising up and learning to stand with heads up. Like my favorite saint, St. Joan of Arc who is also one of the heroes of France---I faced adversity with courage and a thankful heart. Today things fucked up in someways but I am with the French people in celebrating their Independence day!

I am writing this post because I am a not just a great fan of France, but I am a lover of French films, desserts, foods, wines, cheeses, macaroons, friands and mustards. This post is just my way to be with them in commemorating their freedom. I feel them. After realizing that I am actually working in a country that was greatly influenced by French culture. That fact delights me each day and makes me appreciate the Vietnamese root more. As I appreciate their culture, I one day found out that their language is a mix of Chinese and French tone. Sounds complicated but everyday I try to speak some of the words I learned so that I can communicate with the locals. Experiencing my day-to-day life here in Saigon with the strong presence of French architecture and French baguette (which they call here as Banh Mi) reminds me about the good things that French people left for this country.

Artist Chef's Fried Tofu and Stewed Papaya Relish with French Sausage Tidbits

Artist Chef's Curried Sweet Vietnamese Mango with Coconut Ice Cream

Photos above are some of the few dishes I concocted lately for The Artist Chef intimate dinner. It started last Saturday here in Saigon. I hope the situations in my life will cooperate as I pursue my dreams and as I create a new threshold to diversify my passion. I hope people will support me as I make my first step in globalizing The Artist Chef concept. I am looking forward the day that our world will embrace the idea of the internet's one and only Artist Chef.

Happy Bastille Day!!!

hugs,
joanie xxx