On Saturday I spent most of the day at my sister-in-law's mother's house. Dany went with me again and so did Menghun. I had invited my other two roommates (Savada and Sreyhak) as well, but they were not able to come. We left the dorm at 8am and went to Lucky. Since she had given me so much fruit the last time, I did not want to come empty-handed this time, especially since we were going over there to make and eat lots of food! I bought a lot of pastries, which I thought she might put out for breakfast or snacks. She did not, so I hope that the family likes that kind of thing and ate them later on!!
Monica's mom and one of her mom's brothers:
I got to help with some of the food. Mostly just cutting and things like that, not any of the actual cooking, but I asked lots of questions and took lots of pictures. I am pretty sure that they all think I am crazy! I am so glad that Menghun and Dany were able to come. It was nice having two people to help interpret everything. There were a lot of people there - the mom, one of her aunts, two sisters, two brothers, two sister-in-laws, and some of Monica's cousins. Other people would drop by for a while and then leave, so I am not sure how many in all. They made the Khmer noodle soup (the green one with fish), a big pot of curry with some huge rolls for the broth, fried potatoes and taro (like french fries), fried fish and shrimp (in batter), and a dish with seafood and veggies. It was so much food!!!!
Me helping to cut (check out the cute little baby corn - fresh, not from a can!):
All of the veggies that go in the Khmer noodle soup - not including the noodles or broth!
All of the food on the table:
After dinner, Monica's mom showed us some of the videos that her family has sent. I got to see some videos of the wedding, which was pretty hilarious. I was recovering from a broken ankle, so everyone laughed at my hobbling around. I can't believe that they got married four years ago!! It seems like just yesterday that I was working on their wedding invitations, though I am glad it was not actually yesterday before then I would have to do the PhD program all over again!
Here is a picture of some of the dessert things that we actually ate while cooking. The yellow one that is wrapped up in the leaf involves palm and coconut, but was purchased because it is hard to make. The custard thing in the pink cup is something made out of coconut milk and durian. It was not my favorite, but they sent me away with lots more of them. I am hoping that the girls at the dorm at them!!!!
I am going back on the Thursday before I leave so that I can pick up a salted fish that Monica's mom wants to give me to take home. Now we will have two at home, so my mom and I are going to have to figure out what to do with those things!!! I also will give her lots of pictures that I have had developed - ones of when I visited but also ones that I had on my computer of Jamie and Monica. I hope that she likes them!
One of Monica's mom's sister-in-laws (so one of Monica's aunts) - her hands are messy from the noodles for the Khmer noodle soup.
A few things to note:
- I also took pictures of some of the old pictures she had of Monica and her sister. They didn't turn out all that well, but I think it will be nice for them to see them and to have copies of them if they didn't get to bring any with them when they moved to the U.S.
- Monica had hilarious hair when she was younger (don't get mad at me for saying that!!!).
- It would be really nice if my whole family could come over when ever Jamie and Monica come to have their Cambodian wedding. I think that both mom's would get along really well. And, it would just be nice for my parents and sister to get to see it here. Maybe I'll be frugal in Romania and save some money for it (haha).
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