by Thu Nguyen

Created on: August 27, 2010

Normally, I find Fridays, Sundays and Mondays the best take out nights. Now that may seem like a lot to you but it's not. It varies only when the one day is needed. As they each are a favorite, choosing between which is a matter of how the week has been. Thus, let me explain the importance they hold and why.

If it's been a long week, Friday would be the push-button day as we call for Chinese, Mexican or Italian. Normally, pizza is our last resort. So dishes on these days are crispy duck, beef fried rice and crab rangoons. If it's been too much on the Asian, we'll hop on over to some authentic tacos from our neighborhood's restaurant followed by some well-brewed rice horchatas. With these choices lingering around the neighborhood, it's hard to resist when the urge kicks in.

As movie nights are never dull, take outs on Fridays usually bring with it a need for celebration. Thus, it's normally a large crowd these days. More often there are parties of 4 or more as most of our peers are scheduled off the next day. Scary movies, reruns of games and even network battles are scheduled these nights.

On Sundays, when a quiet week has gone by, we like to dress it up with a little bit of pick me up by changing the menu with some crisp tilapia on a bed of rice and papaya salad from the Thai restaurant. Then cleanse them down with some white wines like Moscato or Riesling. Usually, this will be a closure to the end of the week.

Romance is often found here as candles can be lit and jazz music is in the background while we slide through the floor feeling happy with the week's end. Nothing like a little Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson or listening to the soft hits as we fade out for the night.

For Mondays, the start of a new week can bring with it many unexpected emergencies. Along with it, the want to bring back Sunday night can be an urge, so take out on these days are only when necessary as an extended Sunday if you will.

We'll stick to something simple like a sandwich from the diner or their breaded steak with mash potatoes. Just that homely feeling to sink right back down to earth and not the fluttery heights of manic Mondays.

All in all, whether it's a Friday, Sunday or Monday night, when it comes, the take out sure do mean something. As these favorite take out nights are only part of living it up. They help keep me sane and engage with others in lost time as well.

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